CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

Carbon Footprint

Norman Baker: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners what steps the Commissioners are taking to minimise their carbon footprint.

Stuart Bell: The Commissioners welcomed the General Synod report 'Sharing God's planet' which requested that church bodies improve their environmental achievements by 2008. Their main aims are to develop a new 'Green Guide' for parsonage building standards and improve our approach to sustainability in our land management plans.

Fund-raising

Hugh Bayley: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners what advice the Church Commissioners give to church bodies on raising funds through public appeals.

Stuart Bell: Guidance on fundraising for repairs and maintenance is available from the Council for the Care of Churches and its churchcare" website (www.churchare.co.uk). It is hoped shortly to expand the site to include guidance on the wider use and development of church buildings.

VAT Relief

Iain Wright: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners what discussions the Commissioners have had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the scope of extending VAT relief to the cost of church car parks.

Stuart Bell: The scope of VAT relief covers repairs to church buildings and not ongoing costs. In consequence the Commissioners have had no discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on such an extension.

CABINET OFFICE

Advice to Ministers/Permanent Secretaries

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in what month his Office expects to makean announcement on advice to Ministers and Permanent Secretaries.

Jim Murphy: This Government have done much to strengthen the system for handling of Ministers' financial interests, including the requirement to provide Permanent Secretaries with a list of their interests on appointment to each new office and the facility to seek external advice if needed. Careful consideration is being given to the recommendation by the Committee on Standards in Public Life and an announcement will be made in due course.

Civil Servants

John Spellar: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many civil servants worked from home for at least one day a week in the last year for which figures are available.

Jim Murphy: The Cabinet Office does not centrally monitor the number of staff who work from home. However, within the newly launched 10 point plan Delivering a Diverse Civil Service" there is senior leadership commitment to work life balance and all senior civil service (SCS) and feeder grade posts should be available on a flexible working pattern basis unless robust and objective justification is provided.

Departmental Research

Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what research projects commissioned by his Department are being undertaken; and what the publication arrangements are in each case.

Jim Murphy: The information requested regarding research projects commissioned for the Cabinet Office is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Downing Street (Refurbishment)

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) of 6 June 2005, Official Report, column 302W, on Downing street (refurbishment), when he expects officials to have concluded their consideration of options.

Jim Murphy: I have nothing further to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend, the then Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. Hutton), on 6 June 2005, Official Report, column 302W.

Government Departments

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the cost was of re-structuring central Government Departments in each year since 1997.

Jim Murphy: This information is not collected centrally. Departmental costs and other expenditure are accounted for in departmental annual reports and National Audit Office (NAO) audits of departmental accounts.

TRANSPORT

A5

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average speed travelled by private cars was on the A5 between the A405 and the A40 in (a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2004–05.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is not available.

Administrative Savings

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what administrative savings have been made by his Department in each of the last eight years.

Karen Buck: I refer the hon. Member to the information on gross and net controlled administration costs for this Department published annually in the Public Expenditure White Papers for the years since it was formed in 2002–03.

Agency Staff

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff were employed by non-departmental public bodies and agencies for which he has responsibility in 2004–05 in (a) total and (b) each (i) nation and (ii)region of the UK and (c) London.

Karen Buck: Total Executive NDPB staff numbers by Departments at 31 March 2005 are recorded in table 2 of Public Bodies 2005, a copy of which is in the House Libraries and which is available online at: http://www. civilservice.gov.uk/the_future_of_the_civil_service/agencies_and_public_bodies/publications/pdf/public bodies/publicbodies2005.pdf.
	The Department does not hold NDPB data broken down by region of the UK.
	The number of staff in individual Executive agencies as at 1 April 2004, including a regional analysis, is available in Civil Service Statistics 2004 which was published in February 2005, a copy of which is in House Libraries. It is also available online at: http://www. civilservice.gov.uk/management_of_the_civil_service/statistics/contents_for_civil_service_statistics_2004_ report/number_of_civil_servants/index.asp.

Air Bags (Motor Vehicles)

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Transportwhether his Department collects statistics on the number of car accidents where safety air bags are inflated.

Stephen Ladyman: Statistics are not collected on the number of injury car accidents where safety airbags are inflated.
	The Department funds the co-operative crash injury study (CCIS) to investigate why car occupants are injured in traffic collisions and to use this information to design countermeasures to reduce the number of casualties in the future. CCIS is an in-depth study that involves specialist teams examining over 1,300 cars per year after they have been involved in police reported injury crashes and correlating the injuries suffered by the vehicle occupants to their causes. The vehicle investigation involves a thorough evaluation of all the cars' safety features, including seat belts and airbag systems. The effectiveness of the airbags once they have deployed is evaluated through this work. CCIS is a representative sample of all the car occupant injury crashes that occur in Great Britain and can be used to predict the number of airbags that are inflated or deployed per year in such accidents. Non-injury crashes where airbags deploy are not routinely investigated.

Air Fares

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average real terms price of air fares within the UK was in each year since 1975; and what forecast he has made of average price of airfares over the next 25 years.

Karen Buck: There is no series giving past data in UK air fares. The national air traffic forecasts published in 2000 assumed a 1 per cent. annual decline in air fares over the period 1998 to 2020. This was revised prior to the Air Transport White Paper to a 2 per cent. per annum decline for the period up to 2030.

Air Passengers

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many passengers arrived by air to theUK from (a) Vietnam, (b) Laos, (c) Cambodia, (d) Burma, (e) Thailand and (f) Indonesia in each of the last five years.

Karen Buck: The following table shows estimated number of passengers arrived by air to the UK from Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia in each of the last five years. Reliable data for Laos, Cambodia and Burma are not available but are likely to be less than 15,000 per year.
	
		The International Passenger Survey (IPS). Number of arrivals in the UK by country of overseas airport used -- Thousand
		
			  Vietnam Thailand Indonesia 
		
		
			 2000 21 410 85 
			 2001 17 420 77 
			 2002 19 463 63 
			 2003 17 443 30 
			 2004 17 532 38

Aircraft Landing Rights

Peter Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what requirement there is on operators of foreign registered aircraft to indicate to United Kingdom authorities the purpose of the flight for an aircraft seeking landing rights at a UK civilian airport.

Karen Buck: holding answer 8 December 2005
	Not all foreign operated flights into the UK require prior permission from the Secretary of State for Transport. Those stopping for non-traffic purposes (e.g. to refuel) and privately operated flights do not require prior permission. Where operators of foreign registered aircraft are required to seek permission to land from the Secretary of State in order to comply with Article 138 of the Air Navigation Order 2005, it is apparent from their applications whether the purpose of the flight is to carry passengers or cargo. Flights carrying dangerous goods or munitions of war are required to seek specific authorisation from the Civil Aviation Authority.

Airline Safety

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with the Civil Aviation Authority on commercial airline safety.

Karen Buck: The Secretary of State and the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority meet regularly to discuss matters of current interest, including any matters relevant to commercial airline safety. Officials within the Department also have regular meetings with the chairman and with the Authority's group director for safety regulation and there is day-to-day contact as necessary on a range of safety matters.

Airport Expansion (Northamptonshire)

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the merits of expansion of airport capacity in Northamptonshire.

Karen Buck: The Future Air Transport White Paper published in December 2003 sets out a 30-year strategic framework for the development of airport capacity in the UK. The preceding studies and consultations led us to conclude that while a number of airports in the Midlands and the South East serve the Northamptonshire market, there is little demand for a commercial airport located within the county. There is however, nothing to prevent proposals for such an airport being brought forward for consideration through the planning system.

Alternative Automobile Fuels

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what funding the Government have allocated to developing (a) electric and (b) non-petrol fuelled automobiles in each of the last five years.

Stephen Ladyman: The Government's primary form of support for alternatively fuelled vehicles, including electric vehicles, is through duty incentives which are set out in the Alternative Fuels Framework published in the Chancellor of the Exchequer's 2003 pre-Budget report.
	Since 2002 the Department for Transport has also provided grant funding towards the research and development of innovative vehicles with improved environmental performance. The grants are technology and fuel neutral so a breakdown of funding by technology or fuel type is not available. Actual spend for the years since the grants were launched are listed as follows:
	
		
			 Financial Year Actual spend ( million) 
		
		
			 200405 4.701 
			 200304 3.076 
			 200203 0.590 
		
	
	Up to 5 million has been allocated for this financial year (200506) but it is unlikely that actual spend will reflect this allocation due to the suspension of the programme for part of this year while State Aid clearance was sought from the European Commission.

Aviation Pollution

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what economic modelling has been undertaken to assess the impact of Government policy on emissions trading on tackling climate change pollution from aviation.

Karen Buck: Analytical and modelling work has been undertaken by consultants for the European Commission looking at the feasibility and impact of emissions trading, emissions charges, and fuel taxation. The Department has not undertaken economic modelling since any scheme would be EU wide.

Aviation Pollution

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what economic modelling he has undertaken of the impact of (a) different oil prices, (b) emissions trading, (c) an emissions charge and (d) an increase in air passenger duty on the growth of aviation greenhouse gas emissions.

Karen Buck: Our forecasts for aviation and climate change, and the assumptions underlying them, are set out in Aviation and Global Warming, published by the Department for Transport in January 2004. The best case scenario emissions forecasts assumed the introduction of economic instruments to tackle climate change, resulting in improved fuel efficiency. We have not undertaken analysis to consider these specific scenarios.

Aviation Pollution

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what economic modelling he has undertaken to assess the impact of participation in (a) the existing and (b) an aviation-only EU emissions trading scheme on forecast growth in aviation emissions of greenhouse gases.

Karen Buck: At present, it is too early to provide a reliable estimate of the impact emissions trading will have on forecasts of emissions from aviation. This will depend on a number of factors including the overall number of allowances and the detailed design for the inclusion of aviation into the EU ETS. These factors have yet to be specified and will be subject to discussion with other member states' governments.

Bus Services

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to increase the proportion of total journeys taken by bus.

Karen Buck: The Department is undertaking a number of actions to increase the proportion of bus journeys:
	We are working with local authorities to produce integrated and ambitious local transport plans.
	We are also working with them to develop local demand management schemes where appropriate, supported by funding from the Transport Innovation Fund.
	Alongside this, we will provide 8 billion of local transport capital funding over the next five years for local authorities to upgrade and improve their transport infrastructure.
	Overall, central and local government provide over 1.6 billion annually to support bus services.
	We will be introducing free concessionary fares for older and disabled people.
	We have allocated 20 million to fund 43 Kickstart schemes.
	We have introduced regulations to allow local authorities to enforce bus lanes and improve their effectiveness.

Bus Services

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent steps have been taken to improve bus transport.

Karen Buck: Within the context of delivering our long-term strategy for improving bus services across the country, the most recent steps taken by the Government include:
	Providing local authorities in England with the resources that allowed them to spend around 200 million in 200405 on bus-related infrastructure improvements.
	Announcing the introduction of free concessionary fares for older and disabled people from April 2006.
	Announcing the allocation of the first tranche of Transport Innovation Fund money to seven local authorities to support their development of demand management schemes.
	Allocating 20 million to fund 43 Kickstart schemes.
	Introducing regulations to allow local authorities to enforce bus lanes and improve their effectiveness.
	In 200405, central and local government also provided around 1.6 billion to support local bus services.

Bus Services

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people the bus network is capable of transporting at any one time.

Karen Buck: Information is not available in the form requested. However, details of the bus and coach stock by size of vehicle are given in annex A table 8 of the Public Transport Statistics Bulletin GB: 2005 Edition, a copy of which is placed in the House of Commons Library.

Bus Services

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his estimate is of the value of second-hand buses purchased in the UK in each year since 1997.

Karen Buck: The information requested is not available.

Bus Services

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the turnover of the bus industry in each year since 1997.

Karen Buck: The information is not available in the form requested.

Bus Services

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many passengers were carried by the bus industry in each year since 1997.

Karen Buck: Information about bus passenger journeys can be obtained from Table C of the Public Transport Statistics Bulletin GB: 2005 Edition, a copy of which is placed in the House of Commons Library.

Bus Services

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the number of (a) new and (b) second-hand buses purchased in each year since 1997;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of new buses purchased in the UK in each year since 1997.

Karen Buck: Information about the number of buses registered for the first time can be obtained from Table12 of the Vehicle Licensing Statistics: 2004, a copy of which is placed in the House of Commons Library. There is no information available for purchases or changes of registration for second-hand buses.

Bus Services

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people were employed by the bus industry in each year since 1997.

Karen Buck: Information about staff numbers in the bus industry can be obtained from Annex A Table 6 of the Public Transport Statistics Bulletin GB: 2005 Edition, a copy of which is placed in the House of Commons Library.

Bus Services

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of the public transport bus fleet is (a) double decker, (b) flexi-bus and (c) other.

Karen Buck: 36 per cent. of public transport buses are double-deckers. 1 per cent. are flexi-buses or bendy buses and the remaining 63 per cent. are single-deck buses.

Bus Services

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with (a) Lancashire county council and (b) district councils in Lancashire on the operation of the concessionary bus scheme.

Karen Buck: None. The statutory entitlement to free off-peak local bus travel in England for people 60 and over and disabled people will come into effect on 1 April 2006. The Department for Transport has issued guidance to local authorities on implementation but it is for individual concessionary travel authorities, to design and operate their local concessionary fares scheme.

Bus Services

Michael Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many pensioners in (a) Worcestershire, (b) Redditch and (c) Worcester will qualify for free off-peak local bus travel.

Karen Buck: Estimates of the numbers of those aged 60 or over who will be eligible for free off-peak local bus travel are shown in the following table.
	
		000
		
			 Authority Population aged 60 and over 
		
		
			 Worcestershire 126.1 
			 Redditch 14.0 
			 Worcester 18.2

Civil Aviation Authority

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the Civil Aviation Authority on its decision to increase its charges, with particular reference to pilots' services.

Karen Buck: I met the CAA to discuss their scheme of charges as a whole on 5 October, in the context of the adjournment debate which took place on 11 October.

Civil Servants

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many and what proportion of each civil service grade in his Department is located in each (a) region and (b) nation of the UK; what the average salary is for each grade; and if he will make a statement.

Karen Buck: My hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office (Mr. Murphy) will write to the hon. Member with details for the civil service of the percentage of staff in post by region and grade responsibility and the median salary of staff in post by region and grade responsibility as at 1 April 2004. Copies of his letter will be placed in the Library.

Concessionary Fares

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people have qualified for concessionary fares on the (a) rail and (b) bus network in each year since 1997.

Karen Buck: It is not known how many people qualify for concessionary fares on (a) the national rail network.
	For (b) buses, those who currently qualify for schemes run by local authorities in England include residents aged 60 and over, as well as an unknown number of disabled people. Until April 2003, the qualifying age for men was 65. The following table shows the resident older population in England qualifying for concessionary fares in each year since 1997.
	
		
			  Mid year Resident eligible population in England (thousand) 
		
		
			 1997 8,914 
			 1998 8,950 
			 1999 8,975 
			 2000 9,011 
			 2001 9,055 
			 2002 9,111 
			 2003 10,385 
			 2004 10,505

Departmental Consultants

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many secondees there have been to his Department from consultancy firms, including the big four accountancy firms, in each of the last three years; and what areas of the Department they have worked in.

Karen Buck: In the last three years there have been the following inward secondments from consultancy firms:
	
		
			   DVLA DfT(c) (Transport Finance) 
		
		
			 2003 1  
			 2004 7 1 
			 2005 7 1

Departmental Costs

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the (a) salary bill was and (b) administrative costs were for his Department in (i) each (A) nation and (B) region of the UK and (ii)London in 200405.

Karen Buck: The Department for Transport is subject to an administrative budget control system, overseen by the Treasury, which relates to Whitehall Departments only. Figures for estimated administration costs, including paybill, for the Department for Transport in 200405 are set out in Appendix A of its Annual Report 2005 (Cm 6527), which is available in the Library of the House. Final outturn figures for total administration costs are contained in the Department's Resource Accounts 200405 (HC 476). No separate regional breakdown of these figures is available.

Departmental Staff

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff are employed by his Department in each (a) region and (b) nation of the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Karen Buck: The figures requested by the hon. Member are contained in Table D of Civil Service Statistics which is available in the Library of the House.

Departmental Staff

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps are taken by his Department to support staff with mental ill-health.

Karen Buck: The Department has a number of support mechanisms in place to help staff with any form of mental ill health. These include:
	Access to independent Employee Assistance Providers or Counselling services who offer confidential specialist knowledge and expertise.
	Referral to the Occupational Health Adviser to seek advice on the condition and measures to assist the individual.
	A departmental stress policy is in place and guidance is available to all staff.
	Rehabilitation and risk assessment arrangements for individuals returning to work following ill health.
	The Employee Assistance Provider/Counselling service also provides advice and guidance to the Department.
	If staff are absent due to a mental health problem any help provided is on an individual case by case basis.

Departmental Staff

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what initiatives are being taken in his Department to help civil servants with chronic back pain.

Karen Buck: The Department is committed to providing support to staff with chronic back problems and has various strategies in place to help staff. These include:
	Early referral to the Occupational Health Adviser to seek advice on the condition and measures to assist the individual.
	An independent assessment to identify if a work activity has caused the condition, or is aggravating a pre-existing condition.
	Implementation of reasonable adjustments to the working environment or work activities to help reduce or eliminate the condition.
	Where appropriate a rehabilitation programme will be agreed to assist the individual's return to work.
	Access to independent employee assistance providers or counselling services who offer confidential specialist knowledge and expertise
	The employee assistance provider/counselling service also provides advice and guidance to the Department.
	Early identification of possible health problems can be an effective means of improving sick absence rates.

Disability

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether a Minister in his Department is planned to be nominated to take responsibility for liaison with the Office for Disability Issues; and if he will make a statement.

Karen Buck: Anne McGuire, the Minister for Disabled People, has overall responsibility for the Office for Disability Issues (ODI). The Minister for Disabled People chairs a cross-Government steering group which includes ministerial representatives from the Department of Health, Department for Education and Skills, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Department for Transport, and Department of Trade and Industry. I am the Minister in this Department who has been nominated to take responsibility for liaison with the ODI.

Docklands Light Railway

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many trains per hour will run on the Docklands Light Railway by 2012; and what the passenger capacity per hour will be.

Karen Buck: Capacity on the core routes of the DLR network will be increased by 50 per cent. with the introduction of longer trains from 2009. Frequencies on the DLR will also be increased to serve the Olympics in 2012, including services on the planned Stratford International Extension which will link a number of Olympics venues. It is anticipated that with committed capacity enhancements and extensions which are planned to be in place by 2010 that approximately 90,000 passengers could be carried per hour on the entire DLR network during the Olympics.

Drink Driving

Lee Scott: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road deaths were attributable to drink driving in the last year for which figures are available; and in how many of those cases the driver was above the drink drive limit by a factor of two or more.

Stephen Ladyman: The estimated number of fatalities from accidents in Great Britain involving illegal alcohol levels for 2003 is 580. The number of fatalities in accidents where a driver or rider had an illegal alcohol level is estimated from coroners' and procurators' fiscal data which becomes available a year later than the main road accident data. As a result, the estimates for 2004 are provisional. The provisional estimate of deaths in drink drive accidents in Great Britain in 2004 is 590. Information is not available on the number of casualties resulting from accidents involving drivers with blood alcohol levels in excess of the drink drive limit by a factor of two or more.

Driving Licences

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many registered provisional driving licence holders there have been in the UK in each year since 1997, broken down by category.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested can be found in the following table:
	
		
			  With motorcycle Without motorcycle 
		
		
			 1997 358,009 4,600,085 
			 1998 330,825 4,675,719 
			 1999 393,366 4,880,572 
			 2000 413,824 5,079,817 
			 2001 405,580 5,162,910 
			 2002 417,426 5,363,537 
			 2003 442,847 5,690,181 
			 2004 449,369 5,773,971 
		
	
	The figures provided are for GB and do not include Northern Ireland.

Driving Licences

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many registered driving licence holders there have been in the UK in each year since 1997, broken down by category.

Stephen Ladyman: The total numbers of substantive licence holders for the requested periods are as follows:
	
		
			  Substantive licence holders 
		
		
			 1997 32,329,228 
			 1998 32,532,217 
			 1999 32,668,988 
			 2000 32,746,422 
			 2001 32,940,330 
			 2002 33,189,863 
			 2003 33,771,687 
			 2004 34,268,993 
		
	
	DVLA does not collate statistics on categories of entitlement for the time periods requested. Instead, snapshot information is gathered at specific points in time. The last such snapshot was taken in May 2002 and showed the following entitlement holdings:
	
		
			   Category Entitlement holders 
		
		
			 Motorcycles A 1,845,291 
			  A1 7,280 
			  A2 51,159 
			
			 Tricycles B1 159,393 
			
			 Private/Light Goods B 33,111,394 
			  BE 113,645 
			
			 Medium/Large Goods Vehicle C 629,497 
			  CE 1,030,043 
			  C1 20,662 
			  C1E 26,173 
			
			 Bus D 322,451 
			  DE 319,223 
			
			 Minibus D1 23,871 
			  D1E 717 
			
			 Tractor F 72,188 
			
			 Road Roller G 468,938 
			
			 Tracked Vehicle H 397,180 
			
			 Mowing Machine K 1,356 
			 Electrically Propelled Vehicle L 5,450 
			
			 Duty Exempt Vehicle N 177,203 
			
			 Moped P 23,982,819 
		
	
	Note:
	The figures provided are for GB and do not include Northern Ireland.

Eddington Review

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State forTransport what meetings he has attended in the pasteight months where the Eddington Review was discussed; and what work his Department has carried out as part of the review.

Karen Buck: holding answer 15 December 2005
	SirRod Eddington was asked by the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Transport to provide advice on the long term links between transport, productivity, growth and stability. His work is being supported by a joint team from the Department for Transport and HM Treasury. The Secretary of State has regular meetings with Sir Rod and his team, and their work is also discussed in the context of other meetings.

Fatal Road Traffic Accidents

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many fatal road traffic accidents occurred in Stroud constituency in each year since 1994.

Stephen Ladyman: The number of fatal personal injury road accidents in Stroud constituency from 1994 is given in the table.
	
		Fatal accidents
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1994 5 
			 1995 14 
			 1996 10 
			 1997 6 
			 1998 8 
			 1999 8 
			 2000 6 
			 2001 12 
			 2002 3 
			 2003 7 
			 2004 5 
		
	
	The accidents in the table are those which occurred within the 2004 boundary of Stroud constituency.

Haulage Industry

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the turnover of the haulage industry was in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: Estimates are as follows:
	
		Annual turnover of the UK road haulage industry(1)
		
			   billion 
		
		
			 1997 18.4 
			 1998 18.5 
			 1999 20.4 
			 2000 21.1 
			 2001 21.7 
			 2002 21.4 
			 2003 21.7 
		
	
	(1)Businesses engaged in transporting goods by road for hire and reward. The turnover of operators who carry goods in the course of their trade or business, but whose main economic activity is not road haulage, is excluded.
	Source:
	Annual Business Inquiry (Office for National Statistics)

Helicopter Contracts

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether there will be changes in manning levels at (a) Stornoway and (b) Sumburgh bases following changes in the helicopter contracts and type of helicopter used there; and whether TUPE regulations will apply following changes of helicopter contractor at these bases.

Stephen Ladyman: holding answer 15 December 2005
	No reduction in staff at either of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency bases at Stornoway or Sumburgh Search and Rescue Helicopter flights, as a result of the change in helicopter contract, is anticipated. TUPE does apply to the staff at both bases.

Helicopter Contracts

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the new S92 search and rescue helicopter to be based at the Stornoway and Sumburgh bases will have the same capabilities as the S61 helicopter.

Stephen Ladyman: holding answer 15 December 2005
	The Sikorsky S92 offers an enhanced capability over theSikorsky S61 in terms of speed and endurance. The S92 also offers safety enhancements over the S61 and increased effectiveness in the search and rescue role.

Incentive Packages

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the value is of (a) pay supplements, (b) bonuses and (c) other incentive packages that are payable in his Department on the basis of geographic location; how many people are in receipt of each payment; and what the total cost to his Department of each payment was in 200405.

Karen Buck: Within the Department for Transport, staff are paid either a London or national rate of pay, with those within the London Pay area receiving a higher rate. Regional supplements, bonuses and other incentive packages are not paid based on geographic location.

Lighthouses

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the pension fund provision of the General Lighthouse Fund is subject to external audit.

Stephen Ladyman: Pension provision is an integral part of the General Lighthouse Fund (the fund). The report and accounts of the fund for each year are examined and certified by the Comptroller and Auditor General. Copies of the fund accounts are placed in the Library of the House.

Lighthouses

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the percentage change in revenue collected in lights dues in (a) Scotland, (b) the Isle of Man, (c) England and Wales, (d) Northern Ireland, (e) the Republic of Ireland and (f) the British Isles as a whole has been since 1 May 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: The percentage change in revenue collected in lights dues since 1 April 1997 to 31 March 2005 is as follows:
	
		
			  Percentage 
		
		
			 Scotland (2.3) 
			 Isle of Man (39.5) 
			 England and Wales 18.0 
			 Northern Ireland (17.0) 
			 Republic of Ireland 8.4 
			 Total 15.0 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures in parenthesis represent a reduction over the period.

Lighthouses

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the names are of the Lights Commissioners for (a) Scotland, (b) the Isle of Man, (c) England and Wales, (d) Northern Ireland and (e) the Republic of Ireland; and what remuneration each receives.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is published in the Report and Accounts 2003/2004 of the General Lighthouse Fund. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

Lighthouses

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many port calls attracted light dues in (a) Scotland, (b) the Isle of Man, (c) England and Wales, (d) Northern Ireland and (e) the Republic of Ireland in each of the last 10 financial years.

Stephen Ladyman: A light dues payment is required when a merchant vessel begins or finishes a voyage in a UK or Irish port. A certificate is issued that allows further voyages into Irish and UK ports for a rolling month. The maximum number of payments is seven in one year.
	The number of certificates issued is given in the following table. The information is not held in this format before 200001.
	
		
			 Certificates issued Scotland Isle of Man England and Wales Northern Ireland Republic of Ireland Total 
		
		
			 200001 3,310 36 19,651 582 1,941 25,520 
			 200102 3,205 37 19,297 638 1,832 25,009 
			 200203 3,196 65 18,882 574 1,846 24,563 
			 200304 2,766 59 18,947 576 1,941 24,289 
			 200405 2,966 56 18,256 577 1,704 23,559

Lighthouses

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the decision-making process is for the raising or lowering of light dues.

Stephen Ladyman: Light dues rates are reviewed annuallyand determined following consideration of the expenditure proposals of the three General Lighthouse Authorities and the overall liabilities of the General Lighthouse Fund. The Lights Advisory Committee, representing light dues payers, plays an active role in this process.

Lighthouses

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who the members are of the (a) Lights Advisory Committee and (b) the Lights Finance Committee; and how the appointments for each were made.

Stephen Ladyman: The Lights Advisory Committee is a group, convened by the UK Chamber of Shipping, comprising payers of light dues. It includes shipowners from all parts of the British Isles and most sectors of the shipping industry and representatives of the fishing industry. Port operators and cargo interests who are affected by light dues are also represented.
	The Lights Finance Committee meets annually to evaluate the income and expenditure of the General Lighthouse Fund. It is chaired by a Department of Transport official, and also comprises representatives of the following organisations:
	Trinity House Lighthouse Service
	Northern Lighthouse Board
	Commissioners of Irish Lights
	Department of Communication, Marine and Natural Resources (Dublin)
	Lights Advisory Committee
	GLF Investment Managers (currently HSBC Investments and Morgan Stanley Quilter)
	There is no formal appointment process for the Lights Advisory Committee or the Lights Finance Committee.

Lighthouses

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the holiday homes maintained by (a) Trinity House, (b) the Northern Lighthouse Board and (c) the Commissioners of Irish Lights.

Stephen Ladyman: Trinity House Lighthouse Service does not maintain any holiday homes. 30 former lighthouse keepers' cottages have been leased to Trinitas Services Limited, a subsidiary company of The Corporation of Trinity House. The cottages are maintained under a commercial contract with Rural Retreats, a holiday letting company specialising in unusual high quality properties. Profits from this venture are passed to the General Lighthouse Fund.
	The following table lists the properties maintained as holiday homes by the Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) and the Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL).
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Northern Lighthouse Board  
			 Covesea Lossiemouth, Morayshire (2)2 
			 Mull of Galloway, Dumfries and Galloway (2)3 
			 Mull of Kintyre, Argyll (2)2 
			 Stoer Head, Sutherland (2)2 
			   
			 Commissioners of Irish Lights  
			 Inishowen, Donegal (3)2 
			 Castletownbere, Cork (3)1 
			 Youghal, Cork (3)1 
		
	
	(2)Cottage.
	(3)House.

Lighthouses

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the Pension Fund arrangements are of (a) Trinity House, (b) the Northern Lighthouse Board and (c) the Commissioners of Irish Lights; and what recent financial advice he has sought regarding the arrangements for each.

Stephen Ladyman: The pension arrangements for the three General Lighthouse Authorities are determined by the Secretary of State under Section 214 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. The Secretary of State has determined that the rules of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme shall apply.
	We are working with the General Lighthouse Authorities on revising the structure of the three pension schemes to determine the most effective approach to meeting future pension liabilities.

Lighthouses

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how the reserves of the General Lighthouse Fund are invested.

Stephen Ladyman: The Secretary of State for Transport is responsible for the administration of the General Lighthouse Fund (the fund) under Section 211 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. Two investment houses have been appointed, HSBC Investments and Morgan Stanley Quilter, to manage the fund's investments, which include the fund's reserves. In addition to the investment portfolio, Morgan Stanley Quilter also manages the fund's cash reserve. All light dues income is paid into the cash reserve.

Lighthouses

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the statutory basis was for the payment to the Commissioners for Irish Lights of an Irish subsidy for navigational aids in the waters of the Republic of Ireland.

Stephen Ladyman: Section 211(2) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 requires the Secretary of State to meet the expenses incurred by the Commissioners of Irish Lights, as a General Lighthouse Authority, in respect of discharging their functions in the Republic of Ireland. Section 211 (3)(a) provides that light dues collected in Ireland are paid into the General Lighthouse Fund.

Lighthouses

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the statutory basis is for the collection of light dues.

Stephen Ladyman: Section 205(2) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 empowers the General Lighthouse Authorities to collect light dues. These are paid into the General Lighthouse Fund. The Secretary of State is empowered to set the amount under Section 205(5) of the Act.

Local Transport Plans (Tyne and Wear)

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library (a) the annual reports of the Tyne and Wear authorities on progress with their local transport plan and (b) their submissions for 2006 to 2011.

Karen Buck: holding answer 15 December 2005
	The Tyne and Wear local transport plan and its most recent progress report are both available electronically via www.newcastle.gov.uk/ltp.nsf/a/home?opendocument.
	I am arranging for hard copies to be placed in the Library.

Local Transport Plans (Tyne and Wear)

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from (a) Newcastle city council and (b) Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport (i) Authority and (ii) Executive for support for a new park and ride scheme for the city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Karen Buck: holding answer 15 December 2005
	In July 2005 the Department received from Nexus, on behalf of the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authority, a Local Transport Plan major scheme funding bid for Phase 1 of the Orpheus Bus Improvement Corridor Programme. This includes a park and ride site in the Follingsby area of Gateshead. I understand that the proposed park and ride scheme is intended to cater for journeys to Gateshead town centre and Newcastle city centre.
	Advice on priorities for major transport schemes (including this one) is currently being sought from the region and I propose to consider this advice before taking decisions on funding for this, and other, schemes in the north east.

London Olympics

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State forTransport pursuant to his answer of 30 November 2005, Official Report, column 565W, on the London Olympics, which transport schemes are funded through Olympic budgets.

Karen Buck: The transport plans for the 2012 games were set out in the candidature file prepared by London 2012. These plans include the following transport schemes funded through Olympic budgets:
	The Games-Time Olympic Javelin service
	Capacity improvements to the North London line
	Additional stopping services on the Great Eastern Mainline at Stratford
	Temporary capacity enhancements at London rail termini
	Signal alterations and station enhancements at West Ham station
	Contribution towards Stratford Regional station upgrade
	Extended opening hours on London Underground
	Security and resilience measures on London Underground
	Temporary service enhancements on the Docklands Light Railway
	Station capacity enhancements on Docklands Light Railway
	Security and resilience measures on Docklands Light Railway
	Olympic Park and Ride schemes
	Cycling and Pedestrian facilities, including extensions and connections to the London cycle network
	Olympic family transportation.

London Olympics

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 30 November 2005, Official Report, column 565W, on the London Olympics, how the Olympic transport plan will encourage 100 per cent. spectator use of public transport, walking and cycling.

Karen Buck: The Department for Transport and London 2012 continues to aim for 100 per cent. spectator use of public transport, walking and cycling during the 2012 Olympics. Temporary parking restrictions will be operated in the vicinity of Olympic events, enforced through fines. It will not, therefore, be possible for most members of the public to travel to the games using private cars, although there will be a limited number of parking spaces for those with mobility requirements.

London Olympics

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 30 November 2005,Official Report, column 565W, on the London Olympics, which vehicles producing no emissions will be used for (a) spectator and (b) Olympic family transport.

Karen Buck: Vehicles that will be used specifically for Olympic transport have not yet been purchased. In the case of the vehicles to be used for Olympic family transport, we would not anticipate these vehicles being purchased until two to three years before the Olympics. Given the pace of technological development in this field, it is not possible at this time to predict precisely which vehicles will be used. When the vehicles are purchased, we will aim to ensure that the cleanest vehicles possible are used.

London Olympics

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 30 November 2005, Official Report, column 565W, on the London Olympics, what assessment he has made of whether the number of parking spaces available in connection with park-and-ride schemes at (a) the main northern side near the M11 and M25 junction, (b) the southern side near the Dartford river crossing, (c) at the Ebbsfleet station and (d) Windsor racecourse will meet demand at the 2012 Olympics.

Karen Buck: The Olympic candidature file prepared by London 2012 included plans for 6,000 cars at the Northern park and ride site, 6,000 at the Southern site, 9,000 at Ebbsfleet and 10,000 at Eton. These were based on the best information on spectator numbers available at that time.
	The Olympic Transport Authority is in the process of carrying out a review of the anticipated demand at the planned park and ride sites. Should it be determined that the anticipated demand is not in line with the planned capacity, the plans will be adjusted to take this into account.

London Olympics

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what (a) decisions, (b) agreements and (c) procedures have resulted from the liaison between project teams on Crossrail and the Olympic games on the coordination of construction programmes.

Karen Buck: During the Olympic bid process Cross London Rail Links Limited and the London Development Agency agreed to cooperate in the delivery of the two projects. This will now be developed into detailed governance arrangements to ensure that both projects can be delivered successfully.

London Olympics

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  pursuant to his answer of 30 November 2005, Official Report, column 564W, on the London Olympics, which part of the Construction Code specifies how Crossrail construction activities will be carried out; and if he will place a copy of the Construction Code in the Library;
	(2)  pursuant to his answer of 30 November 2005, Official Report, column 564W, on the London Olympics, what other mechanisms, besides the Construction Code, are being developed to ensure the construction impacts of Crossrail are suitably controlled, with particular reference to the 2012 Olympics.

Karen Buck: The current draft of the Construction Code, is available on the Crossrail Bill documents website: http://billdocuments.crossrail.co.uk and copies have been placed in the House Libraries. The code will continue to be developed in consultation with local authorities and other stakeholders throughout the Crossrail Bill's passage through Parliament.
	The Construction Code forms part of a wider suite of controls known as the Environmental Minimum Requirements (EMR's) which also includes a planning memorandum, environmental memorandum and excavated materials handling strategy. The EMR's in combination with the controls in the Crossrail Bill and existing legislation will provide a comprehensive mechanism for controlling construction throughout the route.

London Olympics

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State forTransport pursuant to his answer of 30 November 2005, Official Report, column 565W, on the London Olympics, what percentage of the 2.375 billion public sector funding package will be used specifically for developing or improving transport in London; and what percentage of the 2.375 billion public sector funding package will be generated from (a) London council tax and (b) the London Development Agency.

Karen Buck: Of the 2.375 billion public sector funding package made available for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games, 542 million (23 per cent.) has been assigned for Olympic specific transport schemes. London council tax will contribute up to 625 million (26 per cent.) to the 2.375 billion public sector funding package and the LDA will contribute 250 million (11 per cent.).

London Olympics

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State forTransport pursuant to his answer of 30 November 2005, Official Report, column 565W, on the London Olympics, what estimate he has made of the effect in terms of (a) capacity, (b) cost of operation and (c) administrative organisation of converting the North London Line to Docklands Light Railway.

Karen Buck: The operation and development of the Docklands light Railway is the responsibility of Transport for London (TfL).
	Subject to the approval of applications which are currently before the Secretary of State, the planned frequency of the Docklands Light Railway extension between Stratford International and Canning Town prior to the Olympics is some 10 trains per hour, per direction in the peak and six trains off peak. This would mean a passenger capacity of 5,000 per hour, per direction in the peak and 3,000 per hour, per direction off peak. During the Olympics however the frequency of services on this part of the DLR will be increased substantially to accommodate anticipated spectator demand. The converted part of the North London Line to DLR operation will have the capability of up to 30trains per hour.
	It is anticipated that the cost of operation will be met by revenue.
	TfL have indicated that they would expect the new extension to be operated within the existing franchise arrangements which currently govern the operation of the Docklands Light Railway.

London Underground (Security)

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what additional security measures have been instituted on the London Underground system following the terrorist attacks of 7 and 21 July.

Karen Buck: holding answer 13 December 2005
	We do not reveal the detail of security measures. London Underground Ltd. applied pre-agreed enhanced security measures after the attacks on 7 July together with further additional measures after consulting with the Department.
	In addition, British Transport police (BTP) have stepped up their activity. Public vigilance remains very important. BTP, Metropolitan police and Transport For London (TfL) have also initiated a new poster campaign to engage the public in being alert to possible terrorist activity.

M2

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 12th December 2005, Official Report, column 1619W, if he will list the dates between 1 September and 1 December during which roadworks on the M2 between junctions 5 and 6 have been disrupted by (a) fog, (b) frost and (c) rain; and on which occasions between 1 September and 1 December work has been suspended between junctions 5 and 6 of the M2 on the advice of Kent police arising from fog, frost or rain.

Stephen Ladyman: Between 1 September and 1 December 2005, road works on the M2 between junctions 5 and 6 have been disrupted by (a) fog on 21 November, (b) frost on 25 November, 26 November, 28 November and 29 November, (c) rain on 19 October, 24 October, and 6 November. In addition, a combination of low temperatures, bad visibility and damp, delayed works on 31 October and 2 November.
	The Highways Agency suspended these roadworks for technical reasons, where environmental conditions would have had an adverse impact on safe and effective operational delivery. No work has been suspended on the advice of Kent police.

Media Analysis

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  for what purpose his Department commissions analysis of print media; and how the results of such research are used;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on the use of broadcast and print media analysis;
	(3)  if he will place copies in the Library of broadcast media reports undertaken for his Department since 2002;
	(4)  how much has been paid to Millward Brown for print media analysis undertaken for his Department in each year since 2002;
	(5)  whether his Department has (a) undertaken and (b) commissioned any research into (i) broadcast and (ii) print media reporting in relation to the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington since 5 May 2005.

Karen Buck: The Department was formed in May 2002.
	In common with other public and private sector organisations we do undertake research to understand the effectiveness of our communications.
	The Department has bought media research services from Millward Brown at a total cost of 254,250.40 since the creation of DfT to date. This is broken down for each year as follows:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 May 2002 to March 2003 33,518.40 
			 April 2003 to March 2004 62,792.80 
			 April 2004 to March 2005 93,279.20 
			 April 2005 to November 2005 64,660.00 
		
	
	This research independently analyses transport coverage in the national print media only. We also commissioned a one-off examination of regional print media coverage of transport issues.
	I can confirm that the Department has not undertaken or commissioned any research into media reporting in relation to the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington since 5 May. Media reporting of public statements and comments made by the hon. Member would have only been categorised by the media analysis company as a comment by a shadow Minister/Opposition politician.
	The reports are available on the Department's website at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_foi/documents/divisionhomepage/041073.hcsp

Media Monitoring

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department and its predecessors have spent on media monitoring activities in each of the last eight financial years.

Karen Buck: It is common practice for organisations in both the public and private sector to undertake media monitoring activities. This is to both understand the effectiveness of their communications but also to ensure that they are aware of media coverage of issues relating to their activities.
	The Department for Transport pays for two media monitoring services. As with other Government Departments, the Department pay a subscription for the Cabinet Office's Media Monitoring Unit. The DfT also commissions a press cuttings company to provide a daily set of cuttings of national print media coverage of transport issues.
	Since the Department was formed in May 2002, the following costs have been incurred on these two services in each of the completed financial years:
	
		
		
			  MMU National press cuttings 
		
		
			 200203 40,097.18 169,976.63 
			 200304 41,227.50 164,341.13 
			 200405 49,000.00 155,693.86

Ministerial Training

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what briefing and training Ministers joining the Department in May had in advance of (a) making decisions and (b) answering oral questions; and what assessment he has made of the level of preparation and training.

Karen Buck: My hon. Friends and I received full and comprehensive briefing from senior Officials in the Department, on all policy areas involving the Department for Transport, immediately after our appointment in May 2005.

Ministerial Travel

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the travel costs are for each Minister in his Department in each month since June, broken down by mode of transport.

Karen Buck: Ministers use a variety of public transport services when undertaking departmental business. Detailed information about the mode of transport used by Ministers on departmental business is not held centrally and cannot be obtained without incurring disproportionate cost.
	However, the following table shows the travel costs incurred by each Minister in the period from June to November 2005. These figures include costs incurred in connection with the UK's presidency of the EU this year.
	
		
		
			 Minister June July August September October November Total 
		
		
			 Alistair Darling 3,586 203 34 1,277 5,074 1,001 11,175 
			 Stephen Ladyman 3,642 1,456 1,163 1,011 1,439 8,008 16,719 
			 Derek Twigg 895 0 0 764 211 995 2,865 
			 Karen Buck 284 235 0 221 168 161 1,069 
			 Grand total 8,407 1,894 1,197 3,273 6,892 10,165 31,828 
		
	
	All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

Ministerial Travel

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions he has used public transport over the past 12 months.

Karen Buck: The Secretary of State regularly travels by public transport in connection with his official duties. Details of individual journeys are not recorded.

Ministerial Travel

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions since 7 July 2005 he has used the London Underground in connection with his official duties.

Karen Buck: The Secretary of State regularly travels by public transport, including London Underground, in connection with his official duties. The Secretary of State has used London Underground a number of times since 7 July, but details of individual journeys are not recorded.

Motorway Accidents

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) deaths and (b) serious injuries of people of each age between 17 and 45 years there were on motorways in each of the last 10 years.

Stephen Ladyman: The number of fatal and serious injuries of people aged between 17 and 45 in personal injury road accidents on motorways between 1995 and 2004 is given in the table.
	
		Number of killed and serious casualties aged between 17 and 45on motorways(4): 1995 to 2004
		
			  Severity of casualty 
			 Year of accident Fatal Serious 
		
		
			 1995 110 891 
			 1996 106 884 
			 1997 118 929 
			 1998 115 881 
			 1999 133 938 
			 2000 125 923 
			 2001 120 949 
			 2002 128 830 
			 2003 138 832 
			 2004 112 770 
		
	
	(4)Motorways including A(M) roads.

Navigational Aids Services

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment was made of the merits of concentrating navigational aids services at the existing Swansea depot as an alternative to constructing a new facility at Dun Laoghaire in the Irish Republic.

Stephen Ladyman: The Commissioners of Irish Lights new single base operation at Dun Laoghaire is needed to ensure it can play its part more effectively in the integrated aids to navigation service for the British Isles. The General Lighthouse Authorities will continue to share use of ship and buoy yard facilities where it is economically cost effective to do so.

Navigational Aids Services

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what reason the Irish Government gave for refusing to agree to a reform of the Irish subsidy component of the light dues system for funding navigational aids in Irish Republic territorial waters.

Stephen Ladyman: The Irish Government have agreed to renegotiate the 1985 Agreement that sets out the funding arrangements for the Commissioners of Irish Lights. We have a statutory responsibility to fund Irish Lights and cannot withdraw from the arrangements in place. Options are being considered that include a more equitable split in cost sharing between the UK and Ireland. We will continue to press the Irish Government to meet the full costs of provision of their aids to navigation.

Navigational Aids Services

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the final decision to go ahead with the Dun Laoghaire depot has been made; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: In April 2005, approval was given for the redevelopment of the Commissioners of Irish Lights' (CIL) Dun Laoghaire depot. The existing HQ offices in the centre of Dublin will be sold and depot and offices co-located in a new complex to be built on the existing depot site. Co-location to a modern building will streamline the organisation and bring major efficiency gains to CIL's operations, resulting in annual cost savings of 1.4m. Construction work is expected to commence in January 2006.

Parking Offences

Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what powers parking attendants have to issue penalty charge notices to disabled person badge holders who have parked in loading bays.

Karen Buck: holding answer 15 December 2005
	Parking attendants have powers under the Road Traffic Act 1991 to issue a penalty charge notice where they believe a vehicle has contravened parking regulations. If a Traffic Regulation Order excludes disabled persons' badge holders from parking in loading bays, it would be an offence for which a penalty charge notice may be issued.

Parking Offences

Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what advice he has issued to local authorities regarding disabled person badge holders parking in loading bays.

Karen Buck: holding answer 15 December 2005
	General advice in the form of Departmental Circulars has been issued to local authorities on the Blue Badge Scheme. Specific advice on the parking concessions provided under the Scheme is contained in an explanatory leaflet which is made available to local authorities and badge holders themselves. This includes advice that badge holders are not permitted to park in places reserved for specific users, including loading bays.

Parking Offences

Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list local authorities that have continued to issue penalty charge notices after notification that notices issued for similar offences were invalid.

Karen Buck: holding answer 15 December 2005
	This information is not collected centrally. Local authorities are responsible for ensuring that penalty charge notices conform to statutory requirements.

Parking Offences

Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what checks are made by (a) the Department and (b) the National Parking Adjudication Service on the technical aspects of applications by local authorities for decriminalised parking powers.

Karen Buck: holding answer 15 December 2005
	To take on decriminalised parking enforcement (DPE) powers a local authority has to affirm in its application to the Secretary of State that it will comply with the requirements of Local Authority Circular 1/95Guidance on Decriminalised Parking Enforcement outside London as amended. A copy of the circular has been placed in the House Library. The requirements cover a wide range of procedural, operational and other aspects of enforcement, including the need to show that NPAS is content with the relevant local authority's application.

Pedicabs

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 30 November 2005, Official Report, column 568W, on pedicabs, what the outcome was of his discussions with representatives of Transport for London on 4 October on the regulation of pedicabs.

Karen Buck: Following the meeting with them on 4 October TfL officials are taking forward proposals for the introduction of a licensing system for pedicabs in London.

Penalty Charge Notices

Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many penalty charge notices have been issued using incorrectly-worded pre-printed forms since decriminalisation of parking enforcement began; by which local authorities they were issued; and if he will make a statement.

Karen Buck: holding answer 13 December 2005
	This information is not collected centrally. Local authorities are responsible for ensuring that penalty charge notices conform to statutory requirements.

Pier and Harbour Order

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the requests (a) sought from and (b) granted by his Department for ministerial permission and approvals under the Pier and Harbour Order (Bembridge Harbour) Confirmation Act 1963 in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: Responsibility for navigational consents under local legislation has rested with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs since October 2004. Prior to that date and since 1997 the Department has no record of any permissions sought or approvals given under the 1963 Act.

Predictive Diallers

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many calls were made from call centres in his Department in 200405 using predictive diallers; how many such calls resulted in contact being made with the recipient without a Government agent available to talk to them; and what assessment he has made of the likely impact of Ofcom's policy on silent calls on the use of predictive diallers in departmental call centres.

Karen Buck: The Department for Transport does not use predictive diallers when making calls to members of the public.

Private Members' Bill

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those Private Members' Billsintroduced under (a) Standing Order No. 14(6), (b) Standing Order No. 23 and (c) Standing Order No.57 which were (i) supported and (ii) opposed by his Department in each Session since 199798.

Karen Buck: The Department was formed on 29 May 2002.
	The Department supported the Aviation (Offences) Act 2003 and the Marine Safety Act 2003 both of which were introduced under Standing Order No. 14(6).

Public Appointments

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the former hon. Members who left Parliament in 2005 who have since been appointed to public bodies by his Department, broken down by party; and who was responsible for making each appointment.

Karen Buck: Information about the political activity of appointees is recorded and publicised in accordance with the independent Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice. This shows that no former hon. Members who left Parliament in 2005 have since been appointed to public bodies sponsored by the Department.

Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which spending programmes by his Department where the corresponding functions in Scotland are devolved are classified as non-identifiable in the Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses; and what the allocated expenditure on each is for the 200506 financial year.

Karen Buck: The following table sets out the Department's spending programmes which are classified as non-identifiable in the Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses and where corresponding functions in Scotland are devolved, and the 200506 allocated expenditure for these programmes.
	
		
			 DfT programme 200506 allocated expenditure ( million) 
		
		
			 Powershift and cleaner vehicles programmes 20 
			 Transport research: sustainable development 2 
			 Transport Technology Standards Research  Development 6 
			 Transport Analysis and Economics Research 6 
			 Transport Technology Consultancies 0

Public Relations

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the value was of (a) public opinion research and (b) public relations contracts awarded by his Department in 200405 in (i) each (A) nation and (B)region of the UK and (ii) London.

Karen Buck: For details of how much the Department for Transport spent on public opinion research in 200405, I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 5 October 2005, Official Report, column 2857W, which lists the research and the costs.
	For details of how much the Department for Transport spent on public relations contracts in 200405 I refer the hon. Member to a reply to the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan (Mr. Salmond) on 28 November 2005, Official Report, column 146W, which lists the spend on public relations contracts.
	Breaking these figures down between nation, region of the UK and London could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Public Transport (Disabled Access)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to improve access to public transport for disabled people in Stroud.

Karen Buck: We have introduced accessibility planning into the local transport planning process to encourage local authorities and other agencies to assess more systematically whether people can access transport services in their areas. This process covers all forms of transport from buses, coaches and taxis to cycling and walking networks. Making provision for disabled people is a condition against which the resulting Local Transport Plans (LTPs) are assessed.
	At a local level, Gloucestershire county council have installed raised kerbs at bus stops in Stroud to make it easier for disabled people to get on an off buses.
	At a national level there has been significant progress in making public transport accessible to disabled people through regulations made under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA 1995). We made the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations (RVAR) in 1998 and many of the trains calling at Stroud station comply with these.
	More generally, disabled people in Stroud as elsewhere in the country will also benefit from the provisions in the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 (DDA 2005). We have already laid regulations which will, from 4 December 2006, lift the transport exemption in Part 3 of the DDA 1995 for land-based public transport, vehicle hire, breakdown services and vehicles used on leisure and tourism transport services. We will also be consulting shortly on draft regulations to set an end date of no later than 1 January 2020 for when all trains will have to meet RVAR and to apply those regulations to older trains when they are refurbished.

Railways

Linda Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of the Review of Northern Rail Services.

Derek Twigg: The review began earlier this year and recommendations are due early in 2006. A copy of the final report will be placed in the House Library once completed.

Railways

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which railway stations in (a) Southend, (b) Essex, (c) Hertfordshire, (d) Greater London and (e) England and Wales do not meet the standards required by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; and if he will make a statement.

Karen Buck: Compliance with Part 3 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 is a matter for station operators. Where disabled people would find it impossible or unreasonably difficult to access a station, then the station operator is under a duty to take reasonable steps to remove or alter physically the obstacle(s), find a way to overcome them, or provide the service by a reasonable alternative means. What is considered reasonable will depend on the circumstances of each case and that is something which ultimately only the courts can determine.

Railways

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of railway stations have wheelchair access, broken down by (a) county and (b) London borough.

Karen Buck: The Department does not hold this information.
	The rail industry has, however, improved the availability and quality of station information and this has enabled the train operating companies to keep it up to date. Disabled people can get station information at nationalrail.co.uk or by telephone through the National Rail Enquiry Service on 08457 484950.
	Disabled people can get information about the accessibility of the stations they wish to use at nationalrail.co.uk

Rates

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was paid by his Department in rates to Coventry local authority in 200405.

Karen Buck: holding answer 13 December 2005
	The Department paid 1,753.96 in rates in 200405 to Coventry local authority.

Road Fuel

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his estimate is of the value of road fuel sales to the road transport sector in each financial year since 199798, broken down by (a) petrol, (b) diesel and (c) biofuel sales.

Stephen Ladyman: Historic data on fuel duty rates, fuel sales and on the total amount of duty paid on those sales is available at http://www.uktradeinfo.com.
	Total sales of petrol, diesel and biofuels in each of the years in question were as follows (all figures are in millions of litres).
	
		Litres (millions)
		
			  Petrol Diesel Biofuels 
		
		
			 199798 29,959 18,134 0 
			 199899 29,137 18,407 0 
			 19992000 28,640 18,295 0 
			 200001 27,532 18,493 0 
			 200102 28,229 19,113 0 
			 200203 27,837 20,102 5 
			 200304 27,407 21,230 22 
			 200405 26,540 22,395 35 
		
	
	The total amount of duty paid on those fuel sales was as follows (all figures in millions of pounds):
	
		 million
		
			  Petrol Diesel (not including biodiesel) Biofuels 
		
		
			 199798 12,144 7,101 0 
			 199899 13,131 8,197 0 
			 19992000 13,667 8,639 0 
			 200001 13,397 9,006 0 
			 200102 12,960 8,760 0 
			 200203 12,756 9,211 1 
			 200304 12,713 9,842 6 
			 200405 12,500 10,539 9 
		
	
	Data on the total value of road fuel sales is not readily available.

Road Humps (Kettering)

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment the Department has made of road humps in Kettering borough against the regulations the Department has set.

Karen Buck: The Highways (Road Humps) Regulations 1999 give local authorities powers to construct road humps without the consent of the Secretary of State as long as they meet the requirements of the regulations.
	The Department does not assess road humps against the regulations. It is the responsibility of local highway authorities to ensure that road humps comply with the regulations.
	Further advice on the design and implementation of road humps is given in the Department's Traffic Advisory Leaflets (TALs). TAL 2/05 Traffic Calming Bibliography, lists those relevant to road humps, and a copy is already available in the Library of the House.

Road Improvement Costs

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the (a) expected cost when first submitted for approval and (b) most recently-estimated or final cost is of each road scheme (i) in the Targeted Programme of Improvements and (ii) submitted for funding through the Local Transport Plan process in each year since 19992000 and (b) from 200506.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Road Improvement Costs

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when (a) road schemes that have entered the Targeted Programme of Improvements since April 2003 will be re-appraised and (b) the relevant cost estimates will be updated.

Stephen Ladyman: The following road schemes have entered the Targeted Programme of Improvements (TPI) since April 2003 and are shown until their next key event. Scheme appraisals, including estimates, are reviewed in advance of these key events. Estimates are kept under constant review.
	
		
			  Scheme Date of next economic re-appraisal  Key event 
		
		
			 A14 EllingtonFen Ditton Improvement 200506 Preferred Route Announcement 
			 A57/A628 Mottram in Longdendale, Hollingworth and Tintwistle Bypass 200506 Publish Draft Orders and Environmental Statement 
			 A45/A46 Tollbar End Improvement 200506 Publish Draft Orders and Environmental Statement 
			 M1 Junction 6a to 10 Widening 200506 Works Price Reviewed/Confirmed 
			 M1 Junction 10 to 13 Widening 200506 Preferred Route Announcement 
			 A1 Morpeth to Felton Dualling 200607 Publish Draft Orders and Environmental Statement 
			 A1 Adderstone to Belford Dualling 200506 Tender Invitation 
			 A1/A19/A1068 Seaton Burn Junction Improvement Cost estimate confirmed September 2005  
			 A19/A184 Testos Grade Separated Junction 200506 ECI Contract Awarded 
			 A5-M1 Link (Dunstable Northern Bypass). 200607 Publish Draft Orders and Environmental Statement 
			 A421 Bedford to M1 Junction 13 200506 ECI Contract Awarded 
			 M40 Junction 15 (Longbridge) 200506 Publish Draft Orders and Environmental Statement 
			 A596 High and Low Newton Bypass 200506 Works Price Reviewed/Confirmed 
			 M20 Junction 10A Cost estimate to be reviewed April 2006  
			 A27 Southerham to Beddingham Improvement 200607 Works Price Reviewed/Confirmed 
			 M1 J2130 (early improvements) (contract 1) 200506 Environmental Statement Published 
			 M1 J2130 DBFO (contract 2) 200607 Publish Draft Orders and Environmental Statement 
			 M25 J1b-3 Widening 200607 Publish Draft Orders and Environmental Statement 
			 M25 J57 Widening 200506 Confirm Investment Decision 
			 M25 J1623 Widening 200506 Publish Draft Orders and Environmental Statement 
			 M25 J2327 Widening 200506 Confirm Investment Decision 
			 M25 J2730 Widening 200506 Confirm Investment Decision 
			 A453 Widening (M1 J24 to A52 Nottingham) 200506 ECI Contract Awardedprogramme under review 
			 M25 Junction 28/A12 Brook Street Interchange 200506 ECI Contract Awarded 
			 M27 J11 to J12 Climbing Lanes 200506 ECI Contract Awarded 
			 M27 J3 to J4 Widening 200506 ECI Contract Awarded 
			 M1 J30 to J31 Widening 200607 ECI Contract Awarded 
			 M1 J31 to J32 Widening 200506 ECI Contract Awarded 
			 M1 J32 to J34S Widening 200506 ECI Contract Awarded 
			 M1 J34N to J37 Widening 200607 ECI Contract Awarded 
			 M1 J37 to J39 Widening 200607 ECI Contract Awarded 
			 M1 J39 to J42 Widening Cost estimate to be reviewed May 2006  
			 M1 J31 to J32 Northbound Collector/Distributor Cost estimate to be reviewed July 2006  
			 M62 J25 to J27 Widening 200708 ECI Contract Awarded 
			 M62 J27 to J28 Widening 200708 ECI Contract Awarded 
		
	
	The following schemes, which have entered the TPI since April 2003, are to be progressed subject to regional priorities:
	A21 Tonbridge to Pembury
	A21 Kippings Cross to Lamberhurst Bypass
	A23 Handcross to Warninglid Widening
	A30 Carland Cross to Chiverton Cross
	A30 Temple to Higher Carblake Improvement.

Roads

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many parking bays there were in (a) 19992000 and (b) 200405; and how many such bays were subject to parking controls.

Karen Buck: This information is not collected centrally.

Roads

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his Department's projected spending on road building is in each of the next five years, broken down by category of road; and how many miles of eachcategory of road he expects to be built over that period.

Stephen Ladyman: We have made indicative budget allocations of 379 million in 200607 and 578 million in 200708 for major trunk road schemes on motorways and trunk roads categorised as of national importance. In 200607 through to 200708 we expect to complete two national schemes, which collectively will deliver approximately 6.3 miles of road improvements to the network, and to have started works on eleven others. Expenditure on these roads beyond 200708 will be reviewed as part of the next Spending Review and announcements about spending levels beyond 200708 will be made after the conclusion of that review.
	Future expenditure on motorways and trunk roads categorised as of regional importance, and on roads which are the responsibility of Local Highway Authorities, will be reviewed in the light of the regions' advice on their priorities for major transport schemes within indicative Regional Funding Allocations, which we published in July 2004. The regions' advice is expected in January 2006. However, the Highways Agency is currently working to indicative budget allocations of 262 million in 200607 and 328 million in 200708 for major trunk road schemes on motorways and trunk roads categorised as of regional importance. In 200607 through to 200708 the Highways Agency expects to complete 17 regional schemes, which collectively will deliver approximately 58 miles of road improvements to the network, and to have started works on nine others.

Roads

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of roads for which his Department is responsible were closed for repairs in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: The information is not available in the form requested. The Highways Agency is charged with making motorway and trunk road lanes available to traffic. Their records show that over the last six years they have kept an average of 98.8 per cent. of those lanes free from roadworks.

Roads

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of new roads for which his Department is responsible have been built in each year since 1997, broken down by category of road.

Stephen Ladyman: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 27 June 2005, Official Report, columns 126366W, for the information up to June 2005. The schemes completed on the trunk road network in England, since June 2005, and their approximate lengths are shown in the following tables:
	
		
			 All-purpose trunk road Scheme description Date of completion Length (miles) 
		
		
			 A5 Weeford to Fazeley Improvement October 2005 3.1 
			 A47 Thorney Bypass December 2005 3.3 
			   Total 6.4 
		
	
	
		
			 Motorway Scheme description Date of completion Length (miles) 
		
		
			 A1(M) Wetherby to Walshford August 2005 3.7 
			 M5 J17-J18A Northbound Climbing  Lane (Hallen Hill) October 2005 1.4 
			 M4 J18 Eastbound Diverge November 2005 1.5 
			 M25 J12-J15 Widening December 2005 6.9 
			   Total 13.5

Ships (Piracy)

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many UK registered ships have (a) reported and (b) been subjected to (i) acts and (ii) attempted acts of piracy in each of the last four financial years.

Stephen Ladyman: The Government do not collate piracy statistics according to financial year but on a calendar year basis, similar to that of the IMO and International Maritime Bureau. The answer to parts (a) and (b) are essentially the same, as UK ships only report piracy incidents to the UK if they have been involved in an incident. The number of UK registered ships that have reported and been subjected to an act or attempted act of piracy for the last four calendar years is as follows:
	
		Piracy attack
		
			  Actual Attempted Total 
		
		
			 2005(5) 3 1 4 
			 2004 1 6 7 
			 2003 4 2 6 
			 2002 2 0 2 
		
	
	(5)January to September.
	This data is taken from the International Maritime Bureau's quarterly piracy and armed robbery reports against ships. These figures tend to provide a more accurate record than those provided by the IMO. The figures include ships attacked both on the high seas (true piracy) and ships attacked within territorial waters, classed as maritime robbery.

South Hampshire Rapid Transport Scheme

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his written statement of 29 November 2005, Official Report, columns 1617WS, on the South Hampshire Rapid Transport Scheme, what discussions his Department (a) has held and (b) plans to hold with Hampshire county council and Portsmouth city council to discuss alternative transportation strategies.

Derek Twigg: I wrote to Hampshire county council and Portsmouth county council last week offering discussions on transport improvements in the South Hampshire area, in the light of the Government's decision not to reinstate the South Hampshire Rapid Transit scheme. The Department stands ready to work with South Hampshire in exploring good value alternative transport proposals.
	The Department has also offered to meet the South Hampshire authorities to discuss whether a package of measures in the Solent area can be developed for the next round of Transport Innovation Fund pump-priming funding in 2006.

Speeding Fines

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the administration costs were of imposing speeding fines in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: All Partnership audit certificates for 200405, which show a breakdown of expenditure by partner, are posted on the Department's website at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_control/documents/contentservertemplate/dft_index.hcst?n=14972l=2

Sunset Clauses

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is in respect of the use of sunset clauses in legislation.

Karen Buck: The appropriateness of a sunset clause for the whole or part of any proposed legislation is considered on a case by case basis. It is also addressed when a regulatory impact assessment relating to legislation is being prepared.

Transport Expenditure

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the transport spending per person by (a) his Department and (b) all public bodies on (i) light rail, (ii) heavy rail, (iii) bus and (iv) roads has been in (A)Yorkshire and Humber and (B) London in each year since 1997; and what estimates have been made for each year to 2010.

Karen Buck: holding answer 15 December 2005
	This information is not held centrally. However, details on overall transport spend per head of population for the two regions, based on certain assumptions as to how this should be attributed, can be found in chapter 8 of the Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 2005published by HM Treasury, and available on their website at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/economic_ data_and_tools/finance_spending_statistics/pes_publications/pespub_index.cfm

Tyne and Wear (Financial Bids)

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library the submissions made by Tyne and Wear authorities for local transport plan support for (a) 200506 and (b) 200607.

Karen Buck: The provisional second local transport plan for Tyne and Wear (which seeks funding support for 200607) and the annual progress report submitted in 2004 on the first local transport plan (which seeks funding support for 200506) are being placed in the Library.

Ultra-light Rail Systems

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the relative costs of ultra light rail compared with (a) guided busways and (b) conventional train systems.

Derek Twigg: The cost of any scheme will vary significantly according to local circumstances and so direct comparison of this nature is difficult. No 'ultra light rail' systems have been constructed and there is little evidence on which to estimate its likely costs.

Vehicle Registration

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) cars, (b) commercial vans and (c) lorries were registered to use roads in the UK in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested can be found in the following table:
	
		
			  (a) Cars (b) Vans (c) Lorries 
		
		
			 1997 21,681,000 2,317,000 414,000 
			 1998 22,115,000 2,362,000 412,000 
			 1999 22,785,000 2,427,000 415,000 
			 2000 23,196,000 2,469,000 418,000 
			 2001 23,899,000 2,544,000 422,000 
			 2002 24,543,000 2,622,000 425,000 
			 2003 24,985,000 2,730,000 426,000 
			 2004 25,754,000 2,900,000 434,000 
		
	
	The figures provided are for Great Britain and do not include Northern Ireland.

Vehicle Servicing

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his estimate is of the turnover in the servicing of (a) commercial and (b) private vehicles in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: Information is not available by type of vehicle, or specifically for servicing. Estimates for the maintenance and repair, including servicing, of all vehicles are as follows:
	
		Annual turnover: maintenance and repair of motor vehicles(6)
		
			   billion 
		
		
			 1997 8.0 
			 1998 9.0 
			 1999 11.1 
			 2000 11.2 
			 2001 11.9 
			 2002 12.0 
			 2003 12.4 
		
	
	(6)Figures show the turnover of UK businesses engaged in the maintenance and repair of motor vehicles, including servicing.
	Source:
	Annual Business Inquiry (Office for National Statistics)

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Full Pint Legislation

Tom Levitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action his Department (a) has taken and (b) intends to take in respect of 'full pint' legislation following the completion of the consultation process on simplifying the food orders.

Gerry Sutcliffe: It remains our aim to publish for consultation in the new year an Order consolidating and simplifying the weights and measures provisions relating to food. This will take into account the earlier consultations on the 'full pint' issue, and incorporate our conclusions. However, the timing of the draft Order will depend on the progress of discussions between the community institutions on the Commission's proposals on specified quantities.

Asbestos

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the risks to the public of the presence of asbestos in textured coatings.

Anne McGuire: I have been asked to reply.
	There are no risks to the public from asbestos in textured coatings where the material is undisturbed and in good condition.
	The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently published research commissioned from the Health and Safety Laboratory on levels of asbestos fibres released during licensed-work to remove textured decorative coatings in domestic premises. As part of the current Health and Safety Commission (HSE) consultation on proposed changes to the UK regulations governing work with asbestos (Proposals for revised Asbestos Regulations and an Approved Code of Practice (CD205)), HSE has commissioned further research on asbestos exposures arising from work on textured coatings, will consider the risks to the public from such work, and will evaluate this and other available research.
	The published HSL research and HSC consultation document are available on HSE's website.

Atomic Energy Authority

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the allocation of expenditure on the UK Atomic Energy Authority in his Department's Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis is made on the basis of who benefits from the service.

Barry Gardiner: UKAEA expenditure is allocated to statistical regions based on expenditure by nuclear site for which it is responsible.

Bio-energy Capital Grant Scheme

Geoffrey Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in respect of how many of the projects for large scale electricity generators of greater than 20 MWe for which grants were awarded under the bio-energy capital grant scheme draw-down of the grants have begun; what sums have so far been paid out for such projects; and to whom.

Malcolm Wicks: Of the three projects in this category 2,975,000 has been paid to Sembcorp for the Teesside project. On the E.ON project at Lockerbie, the grant has been accepted and work is under way, but no grant payments have yet been made; and the Peninsula Power WINBEG Project has yet to accept its grant offer.

Business Start-ups

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many business start-ups have taken place in (a) Tamworth constituency and (b) the West Midlands in the last 12 months; and what steps he is taking to increase the number in each case.

Alun Michael: There is no statistical information available which can accurately record the total number of business start-ups as such. New VAT registrations can be used as a proxy for business start-ups, and these show that in 2004 there were 225 new registrations in the Tamworth district council area and 14,855 in the West Midlands. The Tamworth constituency covers a greater area than that of Tamworth district council but it has not been possible to quantify the number of start-up or VAT registrations at a constituency level as records are not maintained by constituency area.
	The Department of Trade and Industry sponsors the regional development agencies (RDAs) which are charged with the responsibility for the economic development of their regions and to work with partners to increase the sustainability of businesses and foster business start-ups. Advantage West Midlands supports a range of regional-level schemes and programmes that support start-ups including Mustard which exists to give new and young business start-ups the right kind of help when they need it the most. It is an initiative offering practical, hands-on expertise to high growth-potential new and young business start-ups in the West Midlands. Mustard is a unique private/public sector collaboration managed by Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry and delivered by the region's Business Links and leading private sector consultancies.
	Advantage West Midlands has also established a suite of regional funds available to start-ups including the Early Growth Fund, the Growth Fund and Advantage Business Angels and created a searchable database of all public and private sector sources of finance in the regionwww.westmidlandsfinance.com.
	The region's three high technology corridors are sites providing more incubation space for high value start-ups. For example, the Wolverhampton to Telford corridor has just completed work on the 5.5million e-Innovation Centre in Telford, providing start-up premises and grow-on space for companies involved in high-technology businesses such as e-commerce and e-engineering.
	To create an enterprise culture in Tamworth and the West Midlands region in general, Advantage West Midlands has established the West Midlands Enterprise Board. One of the targets the Enterprise Board has set itself is increasing the number of self employed people in the region by 35,000 by 2010. To help achieve this, it has recommended reforming the business support network. The new reformed network will include in-depth, specialist support to a wide range of start-ups across the region and ensure that the various initiatives which are already in place to stimulate entrepreneurship and start up activity are effectively brought together to provide cohesive packages of support. Under the current business support regime Business Link Staffordshire has assisted 1,816 start-ups in the county during the period 1 January 2005 to 15 December 2005.

Carbon Capture

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria were used to decide that 25 million was the appropriate amount for the initial investment in carbon capture and sequestration.

Malcolm Wicks: The 25 million was assigned in the Carbon Abatement Technology Strategy to provide capital grant support for the demonstration of a Capture Ready Plant or Carbon Dioxide Storage. The precise amount needed to support such projects depends on what industry brings forward, but 25 million is a significant contribution and would help leverage additional funds from other sources.
	My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer recently announced an additional 10 million in his pre-Budget statement, which increases the amount to 35 million.

Coal Mining

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will instigate a review of the policies related to the production of coal in the UK; and whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential for further coal production in the UK.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 15 December 2005
	The current Energy Review will consider the role of coal in delivering our energy policy goals.
	An assessment of the potential for further coal production in the UK was made in 1999. There are no present plans to commission a further assessment.

Competitiveness Council

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals on energy issues were put before the EU Competitiveness Council on 2829 November in respect of the consideration of the EU's Seventh Framework Programme.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 15 December 2005
	The Commission's proposal for the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) includes energy research as one of nine thematic priorities. The EURATOM programme for nuclear research and training also includes a number of relevant activities. The Competitiveness Council on 28 November considered a UK Presidency compromise text of the FP7 Proposal and member states agreed to a Partial General Approach, which excludes budgetary aspects pending the outcome of the negotiations on the EU budget.

Deceased Optional Risk Offer Scheme

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what payments have been made in each quartile under the Deceased Optional Risk offer scheme since payments began.

Malcolm Wicks: As at 11 December 2005, 904 payments of 1,200 to widows and 2,539 payments of 1,000 to ex-miners' families had been made under the Deceased Optional Risk Offer scheme since it became operational on 1 September. This scheme is intended to quickly compensate those claimants where there is no evidence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Under the full scheme, the average payment in equivalent circumstances is 822. Claimants' representatives will be able to advise for each claim on the eligibility for and merits of a DOROS payment.

EU-China Textiles Agreement

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the likely effects of the EU-China textiles agreement on numbers of jobs in (a) the EU, (b) China and (c) the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The textiles agreement between the European Commission and the Chinese Ministry of Commerce concluded in June and subsequently revised in September limits imports into the EU from China of 10 textiles and clothing products until the end of 2007. This agreement provided a level of stability for trade in these products and avoided the uncertainty of the alternative of a succession of product-by-product safeguard investigations. I have made no assessment on the effects on jobs in the EU, China or the UK.

EU-Vietnam Trade Dispute

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the trade dispute between the EU and Vietnam.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 12 December 2005
	I am not aware of any trade dispute between the EU and Vietnam. However, the European Commission is investigating the alleged dumping of Vietnamese (and Chinese) footwear. The European Commission has yet to produce the preliminary findings of its investigation.

Gas Prices

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make it his policy to cap wholesale gas prices; and what discussions he has had with UK industry on the effect of unregulated gas price increases on business.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government's approach to security of energy supply is to let the market work so that price signals reflect supply and demand conditions and thereby encourage restraint on the demand side and additional provision on the supply side as necessary. A cap on wholesale prices would be wholly contrary to that approach and would be likely to have an extremely damaging impact on the market's ability to balance supply and demand in the short-term and on investor confidence in the longer-term.
	I, as well as DTI and Ofgem officials, have had numerous meetings with industry representatives to discuss the impact of high gas prices and ways of mitigating that impact.

Gas Supply

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether there is sufficient gas supply to meet the demand of UK industry for the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government's approach to security of gas supply is to foster a market-based regulatory framework which incentivises market participants to ensure that supply and demand balance. Both supply and demand can be affected by various different factors on a day-to-day basis, such as the weather, prices both in the UK and overseas, market conditions in supplier and transit countries affecting the availability and price of imported gas, technical issues at production and import facilities, etc. On an annual basis, however, if investment in currently planned import projects goes ahead as expected, there should be sufficient capacity to deliver gas to meet UK demand until at least 2020.

Liquefied Gas Pipeline

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with(a) Cadw and (b) the Countryside Council for Wales in relation to the proposed Tywi Route for the liquefied gas pipeline from Milford Haven to Herefordshire.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department has attended a meeting with key parties on the proposed pipeline from Milford Haven to Aberdulais. It has also attended several meetings on proposed pipeline from Filindre to Tirley at which the proposed route was discussed. Iunderstand the CCW attended all the meetings but not the CADW.

Over-indebtedness

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he has taken as a result of his tackling over-indebtedness action plan of 2004; what further research and monitoring he carried out further to Annex D of the action plan; and what the results were.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Actions taken as a result of the tackling over-indebtedness action plan of 2004 are set out in Tackling Over-indebtednessAnnual Report 2005 published in August 2005 (available in the Libraries of the House and on the DTI website: http://www.dti.gov.uk/ccp/topicsl/overindebtedness.htm#report2005). Research carried out further to the 2004 plan is summarised in Annex C of the 2005 annual report. Monitoring of progress against the action plan is included in the annual report, with additional monitoring of the high level factors which influence levels of over-indebtedness reviewed on a quarterly basis (and published on the DTI website: http://www.dti.gov.uk/ccp/topicsl/overindebtedness.htm#monitorql05). The results of these exercises are set out in the documents referred to and enclosed references.

Post Office

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reasons the Postal Services Act 2000 does not require the Post Office to compensate for the cost of the postage when a package is lost.

Barry Gardiner: Section 89 of the Postal Services Act 2000 enables universal service providers (currently only Royal Mail) to make schemes setting out the terms and conditions for their provision of universal postal services. These schemes include provision for compensation payments for loss etc. Postcomm, the independent regulator, is responsible for enforcing such schemes (including on compensation) through the licensing regime also created by the Act.
	The powers required for Royal Mail to make such schemes were already in place under previous postal services legislation before the creation of the 2000 Act. Rather than introduce new arrangements, when adequate mechanisms already existed, the Postal Services Act 2000 merely mirrored previous arrangements updating them only to take into account the new framework and references for postal services envisaged by the 2000 Act (i.e. the potential for more universal service providers in addition to Royal Mail and the licensing regime).

Post Office

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many rural post offices closed in the last 12 months.

Barry Gardiner: I am advised by Post Office Ltd. that total net rural post office closures for the financial year 200405 were 144.

Regional Development Agencies

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the written statement of 8 December 2005, Official Report, column 1245WS, on regional development agencies, who the (a) new and (b) reappointed members of the South-west Regional Development Agency are.

Alun Michael: The written statement lists Kelvyn Derrick, Nigel Costley and Jonathon Porritt as fresh appointments, as their appointments followed an open competition, in accordance with the requirements set down in the Commissioner for Public Appointments Code of Practice. Kelvyn Derrick has been appointed for the first time. Nigel Costley and Jonathon Porritt were already serving as SWRDA Board members.
	The chairman, Juliet Williams and board members Judith Reynolds, Harry Studholme and Eric Thomas have all been re-appointed for a second term.

Rogue Dialling

Brian Binley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make representations to British Telecom on not holding consumers responsible for telephone charges due to rogue dialling; if he will introduce legislation to protect consumers from the effects of rogue dialling; and if he will ask the Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information to re-open an investigation of the role of premium media communication and other companies in rogue dialling.

Alun Michael: The Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services (ICSTIS) has put in place a prior permission scheme for Premium Rate diallers. This makes it possible to assess the dialler software to be used for proposed services, and if appropriate to prohibit their release. The independent regulator for electronic communications, the Office of Communications (Ofcom), is currently consulting on extending this scheme to enable ICSTIS to take action against any rogue dialler irrespective of the telephone number or call charge used. Implementing a recommendation from Ofcom's Report into the Regulation of Premium Rate Services, this Department has just increased the maximum fine for breaches of the ICSTIS Code, and ICSTIS intends to review its sanctions policy early in 2006. ICSTIS has also put in place a key recommendation from the report to slow the money-flow to those that abuse the premium rate services charging mechanism. This obliges telecoms companies not to make payments to premium rate service providers for at least 30 days after calls have been made. This gives ICSTIS more time to identify breaches of its Code and enables ICSTIS to direct telecoms companies to withhold funds pending the outcome of investigations.
	As ICSTIS has not had any complaints since May, Premium Media Communications may have withdrawn from the UK dialler market. However ICSTIS plans to write to this company shortly to give it notice of the withdrawal of its licence to operate diallers. This means that no phone company can give Premium Media Communications premium rate numbers for dialler services.
	The Office of the Telecommunications Ombudsman (Otelo) is the appropriate body to make representations to BT on consumer disputes about telephone charges due to rogue dialling, and regularly contacts BT about specific cases.

Royal Mail

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he is expecting the Royal Mail to publish details of its employee share scheme.

Barry Gardiner: The Chairman of Royal Mail has said that he is keen to introduce such a scheme as this would give employees a stake in the business and help create the structural changes that are needed to enable the Royal Mail to compete in a liberalised market.
	To date Royal Mail has not presented details of any such scheme to the Government for their consideration. Whether or not Royal Mail intend to publish proposals for such a scheme is a matter for them and I have therefore referred my hon. Friend's question to the chairman of Royal Mail and asked that he reply to my hon. Friend directly.

Stonehenge Visitor Centre

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the Stonehenge Visitor Centre project.

David Lammy: I have been asked to reply.
	It is inappropriate for me to comment on the detail of English Heritage's Visitor Centre plans which are now subject to appeal. The present visitor facilities fail to meet the quality visitors expect and are inappropriate to the setting. English Heritage wants to address this and they have my support.

Toucan Telecom

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with Ofcom on complaints about telephone sales by representatives of Toucan Telecom.

Alun Michael: It is the responsibility of the regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) to deal with such complaints. Accordingly, my officials have asked the Chief Executive of Ofcom to reply directly to the hon. Member and to send me a copy of his letter. Copies of the chief executive's letter will be placed in the Libraries of the Houses.

Trade Liberalisation

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his policy is on trade liberalisation affecting developing countries; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The Government believe that it is for developing countries to make their own decisions on the timing, pace, sequencing and product coverage of any trade liberalisation in line with their own national development plans and poverty reduction strategies.

UK Oil Supplies

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which countries import oil from the UK's surplus; and what proportion was imported by each country in 200405.

Malcolm Wicks: The table shows exports of UK crude oil split by country of destination (from which it may be transhipped elsewhere) for 2004.
	Total crude oil exports from the UK in 2004 were 59 million tonnes, with four countries (the USA, the Netherlands, Germany and France) accounting for 81 per cent. of UK crude oil exports.
	
		Exports of UK crude oil 2004
		
			  Destination country  Tonnes (million) Percentage of total exports 
		
		
			 Canada 2.9 5 
			 France 8.5 14 
			 Germany 9.5 16 
			 Italy 2.2 4 
			 Netherlands 12.3 21 
			 Portugal 0.6 1 
			 Republic of Ireland 0.7 1 
			 Spain 0.8 1 
			 Sweden 1.0 2 
			 USA 17.8 30 
			 Other 3.2 5 
			 Total exports 59.6 100 
		
	
	Source:
	Digest of UK Energy Statistics 2005 Annex F table F.4 (internet only).

Working Time Directive

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the Government expressed the view that the opt-out from the Working Time directive (a) should be regarded as an exception and (b) should eventually be made redundant at the last meeting of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 15 December 2005
	At the Employment Council on 8 December, the Government expressed the view that the opt-out was an essential part of the Directive and that a choice to work longer hours must continue to be made available to workers. The Government did not agree that the opt-out should be phased out. Although some member states continue to believe that it should be severely limited or removed, this view did not gain majority support in the Employment Council.

DEFENCE

Armed Forces

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel have been (a) injured and (b) killed whilst performing temporary firefighting duties in each of the last 10 years.

Adam Ingram: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Armed Forces

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces are serving abroad, broken down by location.

Adam Ingram: Data collected manually from operational records show that as at 7 December 2005 the number of armed forces personnel deployed and in country on that day were:
	
		
			 Country Service personnel(7) 
		
		
			 Iraq 7,930 
			 Bosnia 770 
			 Kosovo 190 
			 Afghanistan 950 
			 Qatar 460 
			 USA 30 
			 Bahrain 410 
			 South Atlantic 1,200 
			 Diego Garcia 40 
			 Cyprus 3,350 
			 Gibraltar 550 
			 Congo 10 
			 Georgia 10 
			 Liberia (8) 
			 Sierra Leone 10 
			 Sudan (8) 
		
	
	(7)Due to the rounding method used, figures may not always equal the sum of the parts. When rounding to the nearest 10, numbers ending in five are rounded to the nearest 20 to prevent systematic bias.
	(8)Denotes less than 10.

Armed Forces

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British armed forces personnel are deployed on (a) expeditionary operations abroad, broken down by country, and (b) in Northern Ireland.

Adam Ingram: Data collected manually from operational records show that as at 7 December 2005 the number of armed forces personnel deployed and in country on that day were as follows.
	
		
			 Country Number of(9) service personnel 
		
		
			 Iraq 7,930 
			 Bosnia 770 
			 Kosovo 190 
			 Afghanistan 950 
			 Qatar 460 
			 USA 30 
			 Bahrain 410 
			 South Atlantic 1,200 
			 Diego Garcia 40 
			 Cyprus 3,350 
			 Gibraltar 550 
			 Congo 10 
			 Georgia 10 
			 Liberia (10) 
			 Sierra Leone 10 
			 Sudan (10) 
		
	
	(9)Due to the rounding methods used, figures may not always equal the sum of the parts. When rounding to the nearest 10, numbers ending in five have been rounded to the nearest 20 to prevent systematic bias.
	(10)Indicates less than 10.
	As at 30 November 2005 there were 9,790 service personnel in Northern Ireland. This figure includes 3,150 members of the Royal Irish Regiment.

Armed Forces

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many recruits to the UK armed forces since 1997 were from Coventry South; and if he will make a statement.

Don Touhig: This information is not held centrally and cannot be collated without incurring disproportionate cost.

Army Prosecuting Authority

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 24 November 2005, Official Report, columns 22012W, on the Army Prosecuting Authority, 
	(1)  what the reasons were for the delay in carrying out further investigations in the case concerned;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the case in which investigations have now been completed.

Adam Ingram: As the case referred to is subject to legal proceedings it would be not be appropriate for me to comment further.

Army Uniforms

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received on the quality of army uniforms in each of the last three years.

Adam Ingram: I and my ministerial colleagues have received a number of representations, either direct or through Parliament, regarding the provision of garments and clothing during the last three years. These letters have been related, in particular, to the contract award for Cut and Sew Garments and have included representations on the quality of army uniforms. Delivery of garments under the Cut and Sew contract continues to meet quality standards.

Atomic Weapons Establishment

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the balance sheet value of the Atomic Weapons Establishment was on 31 March; what the (a) carrying charge and (b) applicable depreciation for that establishment is in the 200506 financial year; and if he will make a statement.

John Reid: As at 31 March 2005, the Gross Book Value of the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) Balance Sheet was 599.8 million and the associated carrying depreciation was 86.7 million, resulting in a Net Book Value of 513.1 million. The projected in year depreciation to 31 March 2006, is 26.2 million.

Ballykelly Army Camp

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the Ballykelly Army Camp.

Adam Ingram: Ballykelly is one of the no more than 14 core sites listed in the Joint Declaration as locations where the regular garrison might be based after the end of Operation Banner. There is no change in this position.

Ballykelly Army Camp

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what will happen to the proceeds raised by the disposal of former married quarters at Ballykelly, Co. Londonderry.

Adam Ingram: The proceeds of the sale of the former married quarters at Ballykelly, Co. Londonderry will come to the defence budget in common with all receipts from the disposal of surplus defence property.

Cadets (Funding)

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the units of (a) Army cadets, (b) Royal Marine cadets, (c) Royal Navy cadets and (d) Air Training Corps cadets in the Isle of Wight and Hampshire; and what grant was paid to each unit by his Department in (i) 1997, (ii) 2001 and (iii) 2005.

Don Touhig: Cadet force units in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are as follows:
	Army Cadet Force units
	The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Army cadet force is classified as one unit, made up of several sub-units, following the Army structure of troops and platoons constituting Companies.
	
		Hampshire and Isle of Wight ACF Headquarters, Winchester
		
			 Unit Affiliation 
		
		
			 HQ Corps  Drums PI R, Hampshires 
		
	
	
		A Company Headquarters, Aldershot
		
			 Unit Affiliation 
		
		
			 1 (Aldershot ) P1 PARA 
			 2 (Farnborough) Pl RHA 
			 3 (Alton ) PI REME 
			 4 (Fleet/Crookham) Tp RE 
			 5 (Cove) Tp RE 
			 6 (Borden) Pl REME 
			 7 (Old Basing) Pl PARA 
			 8 (Yateley) Tp RE 
			 9 (Liphook) Pl REME 
		
	
	
		B Company Headquarters, Portsmouth
		
			 Unit Affiliation 
		
		
			 2 (Perrone Rd) Pl REME 
			 3 (Hayling Island) Pl PWRR 
			 4 (Leigh Park) Pl PWRR 
			 5 (Cosham Tudor) Pl PWRR 
			 6 (Cowplain) Pl PWRR 
			 7 (Purbrook Park) Pl PWRR 
			 8 (Gosport ) P1 PWRR 
			 9 (Browndown) Pl PWRR 
			 10 (Connaught) PL PWRR 
		
	
	
		C Company Headquarters, Newport, Isle of Wight
		
			 Unit Affiliation 
		
		
			 1 (Newport) Tp RLC 
			 2 (Ryde) Tp RLC 
			 3 (Sandown) Tp RLC 
			 4 (Freshwater) Tp RLC 
			 5 (Bembridge) Tp RLC 
			 6 (East Cowes ) Tp RLC 
			 7 (Ventnor) Tp RLC 
		
	
	
		X Company Headquarters, Fordingbridge
		
			 Unit Affiliation 
		
		
			 1 (Blackfield) Tp RLC 
			 2 (Brockenhurst) Tp RLC 
			 3 (Fordingbridge) Pl PWRR 
			 4 (Hythe) Tp RLC 
			 5 (Lymington) PI PWRR 
			 6 (New Milton) Pl PWRR 
			 8 (Homefield School) Pl PWRR 
			 9 (Totton) Tp RLC 
		
	
	
		Y Company Headquarters, Southampton
		
			 Unit Affiliation 
		
		
			 1 (Park Gate) Pl PWRR 
			 3 (Swaythling) Pl RE 
			 4 (Bishop's Waltham) Tp RLC 
			 5 (Itchen) Tp RLC 
			 7 (Millbrook) Tp RE 
			 8 (Fairoak) Tp RLC 
			 9 (Fareham) Pl PWRR 
		
	
	
		Z Company, Headquarters, Winchester
		
			 Unit Affiliation 
		
		
			 1 (Andover) Pl PWRR 
			 3 (Basingstoke) Pl PWRR 
			 4 (Overton) Pl PWRR 
			 5 (Winchester) Pl PWRR 
			 6 (Kings School) Pl RGJ 
			 7 (Worthy Down) Pl Band  Corps of Drums AGC 
			 9 (Middle Wallop) Flt AAC 
			 10 (Romsey) Pl PWRR 
			 11 (Eastleigh) Pl PWRR 
		
	
	Royal Marine and Royal Navy Cadet units, (Voluntary Cadet CorpsVCC)
	There is one Royal Marine Cadet (VCC) unitbased at HMS Excellent (Whale Island).
	There are three Royal Navy Cadet (VCC) unitsall based in the Portsmouth/Gosport area, at HMS Sultan, HMS Collingwood, and Fort Blockhouse (ex-HMS Dolphin)
	Sea Cadet Corps units
	Hampshire
	GosportTS Hornet
	PortsmouthTS Alamein
	RomseyTS Hampshire
	SouthamptonTS Southampton
	WinchesterTS Itchen
	Isle of Wight
	CowesTS Osborne
	RydeTS Royal George
	Air Training Corps Cadets Squadrons
	413 (Aldershot) Sqn
	424 (Southampton) Sqn
	424/1 (Testwood) Sqn
	443 (Basingstoke) Sqn
	457 (Farnborough) Sqn
	1024 (Isle of Wight) Sqn
	1024/1 (Sandown) Sqn
	1098 (Gosport) Sqn
	1105 (Winchester) Sqn
	1189 (Portsmouth) Sqn
	1213 (Andover) Sqn
	1216 (Eastleigh) Sqn
	1308 (New Forest) Sqn
	1350 (Fareham)Sqn
	1350/1 (Porchester) Sqn
	1391 (Romsey) Sqn
	1927 (Petersfield) Sqn
	2260 (Waterlooville) Sqn
	2327 (Havant) Sqn
	2407 (Yateley  Eversley) Sqn
	2407/1 (Fleet) Sqn
	2412 (Bordon  District) Sqn
	2412/1 (Alton) Sqn
	2428 (Hedge End) Sqn
	2495 (Hythe) Sqn
	2515 (Ringwood  Fordingbridge) Sqn
	The department provides funding to the individual services to support their respective cadet forces, which is administered through the cadet force headquarters. Each unit does not receive a specific grant, but benefits from the support of its national organisation and parent service, depending on need, unit contingent size and activity undertaken.

Compensation Claims (Kenya)

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many claims for compensation were lodged in Kenya against members of the UK armed services in the last two years; and what each claim was for.

Adam Ingram: No claims were lodged in Kenya against members of the United Kingdom armed services in the last two years.

Courts Martial

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the oral answer of 7 November 2005, Official Report, columns 2130, on courts martial, what the cost was of (a) the investigation and (b) the court martial proceedings in relation to the serving or former members of the Parachute Regiment accused of murdering an Iraqi citizen.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 10 November 2005
	The costs for the investigation in relation to the serving and former members of the Parachute Regiment accused of murdering an Iraqi citizen are not available as a separate figure. General costs relating to the running of courts martial such as staff and utilities are not held centrally. The more direct costs related to this court-martial, such as legal fees and travel and subsistence are not yet fully available as some legal bills are yet to be presented. These are not expected to exceed 5 million.

Defence Budget

Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the defence budget was in each year since 1997.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 28 November 2005
	Defence spending plans are set as part of the Government's Spending Review process. The outcome is published in Treasury White Papers on the conclusion of each Spending Review round and in the annual Government Expenditure Plan for Defence. Drawn from these documents, the planned defence budget was as follows:
	
		
			  Budget ( billion) 
		
		
			 199798 21.8 
			 199899 22.2 
			 199900 22.3 
			 200001 23.0 
			 200102 23.6 
			 200203 29.3 
			 200304 30.9 
			 200405 29.7 
			 200506 30.9 
			 200607 32.1 
			 200708 33.5 
		
	
	The Government accounting framework has changed progressively over this period due to the introduction of full Resource Accounting and Budgeting (RAB). The terms in which the budgets were set are therefore not directly comparable.
	In-year adjustments to the budget (for example, to cover the cost of operations) are set out through the estimates process, approved by Parliament.

Defence Systems and Equipment Exhibition

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the types of equipment exhibited at the Defence Systems and Equipment International 2005 exhibition which are banned for direct export under British law.

Malcolm Wicks: I have been asked to reply.
	The DTI is not responsible for authorising displays at this exhibition, and the question should be referred to the organiser, who worked closely with the Ministry of Defence.
	The DTI's role is limited to the issue of export licences where these are required, e.g. for the re-export of goods on display after the exhibition, or the promotion of trade in controlled or restricted goods between third countries. On that basis, we are not aware that any of the goods specified were exhibited at DSEI2005. Beyond that, export licences are not required for the exhibition of such goods in the UK. Firearms licences may however be required from the Home Office.
	The Government's 1997 ban on the export and transhipment through the UK of torture goods relates to portable devices designed or modified for riot control purposes or self-protection to administer an electric shock, including electric-shock batons, electric-shock shields, stun guns, and tasers, and specially designed components for such devices, and leg-irons, gang-chains, shackles (excluding normal handcuffs). Since 1998, the import, export, transfer and manufacture of all forms of anti-personnel landmines has also been banned.

Departmental Staff

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff are employed by his Department in each (a) region and (b) nation of the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Don Touhig: The number of staff employed by the Ministry Of Defence by region and nation of the UK can be found in United Kingdom Defence Statistics 2005 Table 2.3: Service and Civilian Personnel by Government Office Region, at 1 April each year (see www.dasa.mod.uk).
	Service data is published quarterly in TSP10; the most recent publication shows the numbers of Service personnel at 1 July 2005. Copies of TSP 10 are held in the Library of the House and also available on www.dasa.mod.uk.

Departmental Staff

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel will be relocated from RAF Innsworth to RAF High Wycombe in the restructuring of RAF headquarters.

Adam Ingram: As recruitment to the new organisation is not due to conclude until next summer and as the RAF Personnel Management Agency are not due to relocate until 2008, it is too early to state how many posts will be filled by personnel relocating from RAF Innsworth to RAF High Wycombe.

Departmental Telephone Lines

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 10 November 2005, Official Report, column 705W, on departmental telephone lines, if he will list the organisations which hold the records on 0870 numbers used by his Department and the revenue received from them.

Don Touhig: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Disability

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether a Minister in his Department is planned to be nominated to take responsibility for liaison with the Office for Disability Issues; and if he will make a statement.

Don Touhig: The Ministry of Defence is not a key Department in taking forward the recommendations of the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit Report Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People with the Office for Disability Issues, and is not, therefore, a member of the cross-government ministerial steering group. We are, however, kept fully aware of the work of the steering group and will be involved as necessary. I am the lead Minister for equality and diversity issues generally within the Department.

Equipment Exports (Libya/China)

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on exporting defence equipment to (a) Libya and (b) China.

Kim Howells: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government continues to implement fully the EU arms embargo on exports to China, as set out by my hon. Friend the then Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the late Derek Fatchett, in his reply to a question by the hon. Member for Gedling (Vernon Coaker) on 3 June 1998 Official Report, columns 240W-241W. In addition, all export licence applications for Libya and China are rigorously assessed on a case by case basis against the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria, taking account of the circumstances prevailing at the time and other announced Government policies. The criteria clearly set out, among other considerations, our commitment to assess the risk that exports might be diverted under undesirable conditions, used for internal repression, external aggression, to abuse human rights, or the risk of reverse engineering or unintended technology transfer.

Falklands/South Georgia

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defencehow many (a) Army, (b) Navy and (c) RAF personnel are serving in (i) the Falklands and (ii) South Georgia.

Adam Ingram: There are approximately 390 Army, 340 Navy and 680 Royal Air Force personnel serving in the Falklands. The numbers of armed forces personnel serving in the Falklands and South Georgia will vary throughout the year as a result of individual posting plots and unit movements.
	There are no armed forces personnel based permanently on South Georgia.

Falklands/South Georgia

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people sit on the (a) South Georgia Council and (b) Falklands Island Council.

Douglas Alexander: I have been asked to reply.
	The Falkland Islands Legislative Council has eight elected members and four ex officio members (who have no vote). Three of the legislative councillors form the executive council, which also has five ex officio members and is chaired by the Governor.
	South Georgia has no permanent population and has no legislative council.

Future Joint Combat Aircraft

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what missile systems were to be fitted to the Future Joint Combat Aircraft when first designed; what the current position is; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The Joint Combat Aircraft (JCA) will enter UK service with a potent air-to-ground and air-to-air capability provided by Paveway IV precision guided bombs, and ASRAAM and AMRAAM air-to-air missiles. Future requirements are kept under review as part of the aircraft's ongoing capability development: among the weapons under consideration for integration at a later date are Storm Shadow and Brimstone. Our missile system requirements have not changed from when the Joint Strike Fighter was selected to meet our JCA requirement.

HMS Sheffield

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 17 November 2005, Official Report, column 1409W, on HMS Sheffield, whathis timetable is for (a) the completion of the departmental review and (b) the publication of the findings; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence review is still continuing but I hope to be in a position to write to the hon. Member in the new year to advise him of the timetable for its completion. At that time, it should also be possible to provide an indication as to when any documents relating to the Board of Inquiry into the loss of HMS Sheffield may be made public.

Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements his Department has made to facilitate the financial assistance offered by the US-based Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund to the families of British personnel lost on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Don Touhig: holding answer 14 December 2005
	Since June 2003, the Intrepid/Anheusar Busch Fallen Heroes Fund (Intrepid Foundation) has, very generously, been supporting the widows and children of US and UK Service personnel killed while serving on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Support ceased in June 2005 when the Intrepid Foundation decided to concentrate its activities in support of limbless US Service personnel. This decision was taken in light of the recent US Congress decision to significantly enhance the support given to families of personnel killed while on operations.
	The Ministry of Defence has a liaison officer in place who regularly communicates with the Intrepid Foundation in New York and facilitates payments through the appropriate single Service casualty organisation. The Intrepid Foundation has paid $10,000 to each widow and $5,000 to each child of a Service person who has died. Where an unmarried partner is involved, the Foundation has paid $5,000 to each child. Forty-eight families have so far benefited from the Intrepid Foundation with payments ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. There are four outstanding cases that the Fund and the Ministry of Defence continue to work on.
	When the scheme ceased in June this year the Chief of the Defence Staff wrote to the Chairman of the Intrepid Foundation thanking him personally for his support. Iwould like to take this opportunity to add my own personal thanks for their very generous and unstinting support.

Iraq/Afghanistan

Fraser Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the identities of the killers of the six Royal Military Police who died at Al Majarr Al Kabir in Iraq on 24 June 2003 are known by the British authorities.

Adam Ingram: The identities of individuals suspected of being involved in the incident in which the six Royal Military Policemen died in Al Majarr Al Kabir on 24 June 2003 are known to the British authorities.
	Jurisdiction for this case lies with the central criminal court of Iraq and they are responsible for issuing any arrest warrants. Case papers, which take account of theRoyal Military Police investigation, including the identity of key suspects, have been lodged with the court. The Ministry of Defence will continue to provide whatever support it can.

Iraq/Afghanistan

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the US mid-term elections in November 2006 on the programme and timetable for withdrawal of coalition forces from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Adam Ingram: Withdrawal of coalition forces from Iraq and Afghanistan is a matter for the individual troop contributing nations. Withdrawal of UK forces does not depend on particular dates or timetables but on achieving certain conditions.

Married Quarters

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer to the right hon. and learned Member for Devizes (Mr. Ancram) of 7 November 2005, Official Report, column 98W, on married quarters, what the cost to his Department of the empty married quarters properties was in the last year for which figures are available; what plans his Department has for reducing this number; and if he will make a statement.

Don Touhig: The Married Quarters estate in Great Britain comprises some 49,000 properties of which approximately 7,900 can be empty at any one time. The figure of 7,900 fluctuates throughout the year and the cost cannot readily be identified. However, the nominal rental cost of that number of properties would be around 22 million. In practice, the vast majority of properties remain empty for considerably less than a year.
	The number of vacant properties is kept under constant review and they are managed either for continued use, or for disposal where it can be demonstrated that there is no identified longer-term need. The level of empty properties has historically been higher than social housing norms largely because the Ministry of Defence queues houses for families, not families for houses. A number of studies into future basing requirements is currently under way and some of the empty homes are being held against future decisions or are earmarked for work to improve their condition.

Married Quarters

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer to the right hon. and learned Member for Devizes (Mr. Ancram) of 7 November 2005, Official Report, column 98W, on married quarters, where the married quarters in England which have been empty for longest are located; and if he will make a statement.

Don Touhig: This information will take a little time to obtain from the database. I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Married Quarters

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer to the right hon. and learned Member for Devizes (Mr. Ancram) of 23 November 2005, Official Report, column 2054W, on married quarters, how many properties in the married quarters estate he expects to be classified as empty in each of the next three financial years; and if he will make a statement.

Don Touhig: It is not possible to predict accurately the number of married quarters that will be empty in each of the next three financial years. Approximately 7,900 properties can be empty at any one time and that number fluctuates depending upon demand.
	The following table gives details of those properties in Great Britain that have been identified for disposal and those which are currently empty.
	
		
			  Properties identified for disposal Currently empty pending disposal 
		
		
			 200607 568 269 
			 200708 149 31 
			 200809 221 34 
		
	
	Properties in the married quarters estate that are leased from Annington Homes are prepared for disposal in sufficient numbers to meet the minimum number criteria laid down in the 1996 Sale Agreement. Typically this means either 10 per cent. of a site or 20 properties (whichever is the lesser) have to be available for disposal at any time. Consequently, empty properties are retained until sufficient numbers at a site become available. Married quarters which are owned by the Ministry of Defence can be disposed of more easily upon vacant possession.

Medical Provision (Gulf)

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what medical provision is available in the Gulf for British forces; and whether it is provided exclusively by British medical personnel.

Don Touhig: Medical support to any deployed operation is absolutely vital, and British forces in the Gulf have access to a wide range of high quality medical care, the majority of which is provided by UK Defence Medical Services.
	Specifically, there are three levels of Medical Treatment Facility (MTF) available to the British forces in the Gulf. These are:
	Role 1Primary health care, specialised first aid, triage, resuscitation and stabilisation.
	In addition to the organic role 1 facilities within the deployed elements, there is also a facility at Basra air station with additional strategic, tactical and immediate response teams components deployed.
	Health care providers also give basic occupational medicine and preventative medical advice including:
	primary dental care;
	basic laboratory testing;
	initial stress management.
	Role 2Reception and triage of casualties, and resuscitation and treatment of shock to a higher level than role 1 MTFs.
	May include damage control surgery and a short term holding facility for casualties until they can be returned to duty or evacuated. Can be enhanced to include primary surgery (PS), intensive care unit (ICU), and medium and low dependency nursing care beds (MLDs). May also cover:
	preventative medicine; operational stress management, psychiatry or psychology;
	diagnostic imaging and tele-medicine;
	patient evacuation co-ordination;
	GeneralMedicine;
	Genito-urinary medicine.
	There are role 2 facilities at Al Amarah and Al Muthanna; the latter has Australian medical personnel supporting UK personnel.
	Role 3Deployed hospitalisation and associated support elements including PS, ICU, MLDs, diagnostic support and mission tailored clinical specialities for emergency medical care.
	The holding capacity allows for beds for the sick and injured, diagnosis and treatment of patients who may return to duty within the Joint Operations Area (JOA), within the constraints of the Theatre Holding Policy. Role 3 facilities reinforce those of roles 2 and control or give ready-access to Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) assets. These may include:
	Specialist surgery (neuro-surgery, maxillo-facial, burns);
	Advanced and specialist diagnostic capabilities to support clinical specialists (CT scan, arthroscopy, sophisticated laboratory tests);
	Major medical, nursing specialities (internal medicine, neurology, intensive care, ophthalmology);
	Primary dental care.
	The MOD has a role 3 field hospital at Shaibah logistics base, which is currently supported by a Czech surgical team. This has the additional capability of a theatre dental team, a mental health team, two aeromedical evacuation liaison officers (AELO), and a detachment of 84 Medical Supply Squadron.
	Other deployed facilities include:
	Environmental health technicians, deployed throughout the area of responsibility;
	AELO/primary health care nurse based in Baghdad;
	Medical admin primary health care/aeromed evacuation co-ord in Muharraq and Seeb;
	Primary health care nurse/AELO in Al Udeid.
	Other troop contributing nations provide facilities which, if necessary, our troops can access. Similarly, other nations can access our facilities.

Meteorological Office

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the temperature has been at midday at each of the Met Office's observation stations in the UK on each day in (a) November, (b) December, (c) January, (d) February and (e) March since 1985.

Don Touhig: This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Meteorological Office

William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the cause of the fire that disrupted services at the Exeter headquarters of the Meteorological Office on 26 October; what damage was caused by the fire; what was the cost of damage to the property; and what estimate he has made of the commercial loss resulting from the fire.

Don Touhig: The incident of 26 October occurred due to a catastrophic failure of the static bypass switch serving the Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for Computer Hall Two. The UPS system remained offline until 22 November in order that remedial activities could be carried out. During this time Computer Hall Two's power was supplied by use of the site's standby generators. The incident is still the subject of an investigation by the Met Office's insurer, and it would therefore be inappropriate to speculate further.
	Neither the building fabric nor its interior were damaged.
	The Exeter headquarters of the Met Office is designed so that key operational systems are duplicated between two independent Computer Halls. Thus the temporary loss of one Computer Hall does not result in the loss of all services. The Met Office also has well rehearsed plans for dealing with business continuity incidents. These plans were invoked on the 26 October to ensure that alternative arrangements were made for those Services that might have been impacted. The Met Office is not aware of any commercial loss as a result of the incident.

Military Training (Falklands)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on military training in the Falklands.

Adam Ingram: The Falkland Islands provide an excellent training environment. Joint armed forces training exercises of varying size and duration are conducted throughout the year, including flying training, live fire exercises, command post exercises and ground defence training. The training conducted on the Falkland Islands makes a valuable contribution to the operational capability of our armed forces and, because it is a visible sign of the UK's commitment to their security, attracts wide support from the local population.

Ministerial Travel

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions since 7 July he has used the London Underground in connection with his official duties.

John Reid: Once. Defence Ministers use public transport wherever possible and practical to complete their journey. All ministerial travel on official business is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in Travel by Ministers.

Mount Pleasant Airfield

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many aircraft and of what type are based at Mount Pleasant airfield.

Adam Ingram: The following aircraft types and numbers are currently based at Mount Pleasant airfield:
	
		
			  Type of aircraft Number currently based at Mount Pleasant 
		
		
			 Fixed wing  
			 Tornado F3 4 
			 Hercules C-130 1 
			 VC10 1 
			   
			 Rotary wing  
			 Chinook 1 
			 Sea King 2 
		
	
	Additionally, British International operate two Sikorski S-61 helicopters under contract in support of military tasks.

Opinion Research/Public Relations

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the value was of (a) public opinion research and (b) public relations contracts awarded by his Department in 200405 in (i) each (A) nation and (B)region of the UK and (ii) London.

Don Touhig: The Ministry of Defence placed one contract for a corporate level public opinion poll in Financial Year 200405. This research was undertaken at national level and cost 41,736 (inc VAT). Details of other surveys that may have been conducted by the Ministry of Defence and its agencies are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The MOD does not record expenditure on public relations in the form requested, and this information also could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Parliamentary Questions

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to make a substantive reply to the questions tabled by the hon. Member for New Forest, East for Named Day Answer on 22 November 2005, on war-disabled UK veterans who live in formerUK colonies, references (a) 29624, (b) 29625, (c) 29626, (d) 29627 and (e) 29628.

Don Touhig: holding answer 12 December 2005
	Ireplied to the hon. Member today.

Porton Down

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which employees of Porton Down visited South Africa in the period from 1975 until the collapse of the apartheid regime; for what purposes; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 23 November 2005
	In January and March 1992, at the request of the Mozambican Government, the Ministry of Defence sent a total of three employees from, what was then, the Chemical Defence Establishment at Porton Down to Mozambique as part of two missions to investigate allegations of the use of chemical weapons. In order to fulfil these verification missions the individuals were required to transit through South Africa to reach the area under investigation in Mozambique. The investigation team which visited the site of the alleged use of chemical weapons was a combined UK and UN team.

PowderJect (Vaccines)

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has received supplies of vaccines originating from PowderJect.

Don Touhig: The Ministry of Defence has received supplies of Tetanus, Influenza, Yellow Fever and Smallpox vaccines originating from PowderJect or from Chiron Evans/Evans vaccines, companies which were acquired by PowderJect.

Public Appointments

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the former hon. Members who left Parliament in 2005 who have since been appointed to public bodies by his Department, broken down by party; and who was responsible for making each appointment.

Don Touhig: The Ministry of Defence has not appointed any former hon. Members who left Parliament in 2005 to its public bodies.

Recruitment Trends

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on recruitment trends for the UK armed forces.

Don Touhig: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 December 2005, Official Report, column 1679, to the hon. Member for Windsor (Adam Afriyie).

Royal Air Force

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence where the Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency will be relocated when RAF Innsworth is vacated; and when the relocation is due to take place.

Adam Ingram: A study into the options for the relocation of the Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency from RAF Innsworth in 2008 is being conducted. The final outcome is not expected to be known until around July 2006.

Royal Air Force

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects RAF Innsworth will cease to operate as part of RAF Headquarters.

Adam Ingram: We expect that RAF Innsworth will cease to support Headquarters Personnel and Training Command following the move of the Personnel Management Agency to RAF Headquarters planned for 2008.

Royal Ordnance (Chorley)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last met representatives of Royal Ordnance (RO) to discuss Chorley RO factory.

Adam Ingram: The Secretary of State has not met representatives of Royal Ordnancenow BAE Systems Land Systemsto discuss rationalisation of their factory at Chorley.

Space

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Defenceif he will make a statement on the military use of space.

Adam Ingram: The focus of the United Kingdom Government's space policy is on civil and scientific uses. However, we also derive important security benefits from its military use. Like many countries, the UK uses satellites for a wide range of military functions such as secure communications, meteorological predictions and in the effective monitoring of various arms control treaties. This military use of space is distinct from the deployment of weapons in space. The UK Government has no plans to deploy weapons in space.
	As one of the Depository States (along with the US and Russia), the UK Government continues to fully support the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which places important constraints on the use of space, including prohibiting the deployment of weapons of mass destruction in space and military activity on the moon and other celestial bodies.
	The main forum for discussing the military use of space is the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. Wehave taken part in informal discussions on the possibility of a further treaty banning weapons in space, although no international consensus has been reached on the need for such a treaty. Notwithstanding this, we continue to support the annual resolution on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS) at the UN.

TA

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions his Department has had with (a) the Treasury about the tax treatment and income of and (b) the Department for Trade and Industry about the employment terms and conditions of territorial army personnel with a view to encouraging recruitment and retention.

Don Touhig: None.

Ty Gwyn Centre

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Ty Gwyn centre for treating ex-service personnel suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder; and what other facilities offering similar services are available.

Don Touhig: holding answer 8 November 2005
	MOD officials are in discussion with officials from the Department of Health and the Devolved Administrations about the provision of services for former service personnel suffering from mental illness resulting from their service. They have not yet had the opportunity to discuss in detail the question of the closure of Ty Gwyn, which was one of a number of facilities with the capability for treating ex-service personnel suffering from PTSD. However, the question of whether its closure leaves any gaps in the capability for treating ex-service personnel suffering from PTSD is one of the subjects for discussion at a meeting planned for 19 December.

Type-45 Destroyers

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his timetable is for ordering hulls 7 and 8 of the Type-45 destroyers.

Adam Ingram: Formal approval and a subsequent order for ships 7 and 8 will be sought at the appropriate time, taking into account the relative value for money and affordability of the ships.

Type-45 Destroyers

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the original estimated cost of each Type-45 destroyer was; and what the current estimated cost is.

Adam Ingram: The estimated unit production cost of each Type 45 at Main Gate was 582 million. The latest estimated unit production cost, as at 31 March 2005 and as reported in the National Audit Office Major Projects Report 2005, is 561.6 million. The unit production cost excludes development costs, which is amortised over the entire class of warships, and cost of capital.

Uniform Contracts

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many battle dress uniforms for the new cut and sew contracts have been produced in (a) China, (b) the UK and (c) other countries, broken down by country; and how many have been tested.

Adam Ingram: The number of items of combat (battle dress) clothing delivered under the cut and sewn contract as at 8 December 2005 are as follows:
	
		
			 Country of production Quantity delivered 
		
		
			 China 449,064 
			 UK 30,647 
			 Lithuania 12,493 
			 Germany 12,337 
		
	
	Combat clothing is among the items listed as Category 1 items within the terms of the contract. As at 8 December, 389 Category 1 garments had been tested by Ministry of Defence personnel. The bulk of these were combat clothing items.
	Garments are checked against the contractual specification, which includes certain tolerances to allow for the bulk manufacturing process. Only one fault outside of these tolerances has so far been identified. Checks carried out by MOD are risk-based random checks, with 100 per cent. checks carried out where necessary. This checking is, however, just one element of a comprehensive quality assurance process starting with the prime contractor and its sub-contractors and ending with technical personnel in the MOD Project Team.

Veterans' Medals

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with (a) the Arctic Veterans Association and (b) other organisations about the proposal for an Emblem to be worn on (i) the Atlantic Star and (ii) 1939 to 1945 Star medals; what decision he has reached on the proposal; and if he will make a statement.

Don Touhig: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had no formal discussions with the Arctic Veterans Association or other organisations to discuss proposals for the new Arctic Emblem to be worn on the ribbon of existing campaign medals. Last month he did meet an Arctic veteran, Commander (Cdr) W. E. Grenfell RN (retired) to discuss the design of the new Emblem, first announced by the Prime Minister on 7 March, during which Cdr Grenfell submitted his own design for consideration. He asked for confirmation that it could be authorised for wear on a medal ribbon. My right hon. Friend made it clear that he could not endorse this proposal.
	There are no plans to approach the HD Committee for permission to wear the Arctic Emblem on the ribbon of an existing wartime campaign medal. This would, effectively, give the Emblem the same status as a clasp and the Committee has made it clear on numerous occasions that it will not consider any more medals or clasps for second world war service.

War-disabled UK Veterans

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the financial help available to war-disabled UK veterans, or their widowed spouses, who live in former UK colonies;
	(2)  what discretion he has to make ex gratia payments to deserving cases of war-disabled UK veterans, or their spouses, living abroad in straitened circumstances;
	(3)  what estimate he has made of the number of Second World War-disabled UK veterans, or their spouses, who live in former UK colonies which have failed to pay war-disablement pensions since achieving independence; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what the criteria are for awarding supplementation payments to war-disabled UK veterans, or their spouses, who live in former UK colonies.

Don Touhig: holding answer 22 November 2005
	Regardless of their country of residence personnel who served in the British armed forces, or their widows, may be entitled to receive payments under the United Kingdom war pension scheme in respect of injury or death due to service.
	The provision of the scheme extends to those members who served in military units based in the United Kingdom or Isle of Man. Responsibility for pension provision of British Europeans who served with locally raised colonial forces is the responsibility of the Government of the territory in which they were raised, under arrangements made when they gained their independence.
	No estimate has been made of the number of Second World War disabled UK veterans, or their spouses, who live in former British colonies which have failed to pay war disablement pensions since achieving independence.
	War disabled veterans who served in units raised in certain former colonial territories can have their overseas war pension supplemented, where the responsible Government has failed to maintain payment, if they can be certified as an overseas officer in respect of the overseas territory in which they enlisted. The responsibility for certifying them as an overseas officer rests with the Overseas Pensions Departments of the Department for International Development and, in broad terms, an overseas officer is one who was not born in the overseas territory and not normally resident there at the time of his service.
	In certain circumstances, where no overseas Government pension has been awarded, awards may be made on a statutory basis under the Personal Injuries Scheme and extra statutory awards can be made via Treasury authority given in 1946.

War-disabled UK Veterans

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what remedy is available for war-disabled UK veterans, or their spouses, living in former UK colonies, for the adverse effect on war pension claims caused by loss of paperwork or failure to reply by the relevant agency.

Don Touhig: holding answer 22 November 2005
	Where administrative failure results in financial loss there are provisions under special payment arrangements to make ex gratia payments.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Asylum Seekers

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of those detained under (a) the Terrorism Act 2000 and (b) the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 (i) were seeking asylum at the time of their detention and (ii) have subsequently claimed asylum.

Tony McNulty: Between 11 September 2001 and 8 November 2005, Police and Home Office records show that a total of 963 people were detained under the Terrorism Act 2000 and the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001. Many have since been released. Of the 232 identified in Home Office records as having applied for asylum, 214 had claimed asylum prior to arrest, and 18 subsequently.

Asylum Seekers

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seeking families have (a) applied for and (b) been awarded indefinite leave to remain since 24 October 2003 under the family asylum amnesty; and how many are awaiting the outcome of applications made under the scheme.

Tony McNulty: Information on the Family Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) Exercise is published in quarterly web pages and in the annual statistical bulletin Asylum Statistics United Kingdom. Copies of these publications and others relating to general immigration to the UK are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Bail Hostel (Aldridge)

Richard Shepherd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps (a) the West Midlands probation service and (b) the National Offender Management Service have taken to identify an alternative site for the Bail Hostel located in Stonnall road, Aldridge, since the High Court ruling in 1996.

Fiona Mactaggart: The information is as follows.
	(a) NPS West Midlands do wish to provide a larger approved premises in the Walsall area. However, this would rely on both the local authority agreeing a suitable location and adequate funding being available.
	(b) The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) has not identified an alternative site for this specific approved premises and currently there are no funds allocated for its replacement. There is a NOMS instigated review and scoping exercise currently being undertaken to ascertain the level of development required across the approved premises estate. Once complete this information will be used to inform a national strategy for approved premises development including, if appropriate, Stonnall road.

British Citizenship

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 19 October 2005, Official Report, column 1032W, on British citizenship, how many of the 760,886 applicants who were not refused British citizenship on character grounds had (a) been found guilty of a criminal offence by a court in the United Kingdom and (b) sentenced to a custodial sentence by a court in the United Kingdom.

Tony McNulty: This information is not readily available, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

British Citizenship

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for British naturalisation there were from people resident in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

Tony McNulty: The numbers of applications for naturalisation as a British citizen from people resident in Northern Ireland for the last five years is as follows.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2001 97 
			 2002 165 
			 2003 190 
			 2004 166 
			 2005 250 
		
	
	This information is provisional management information and may be subject to change.

Cheque Fraud

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the British Bankers' Association about methods to reduce cheque fraud.

Paul Goggins: The Government take fraud seriously. Ministers and officials meet regularly with representatives from the police, retail and banking sectors, including the BBA, to discuss ways of combating fraud, including cheque fraud.
	On 27 October the Attorney General announced terms of reference for a wide ranging cross-Government review of fraud. The review will engage a range of key stakeholders, including the banking industry, and consider the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution/punishment of fraud.

Child Deaths (Custody)

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many child deaths in custody there have been in each year since 1990.

Fiona Mactaggart: Figures for deaths in custody of young people below the age of 18 are given in the following table:
	
		Deaths in custody of young people under 18
		
			  Number of deaths 
		
		
			 1990 3 
			 1991 1 
			 1992 1 
			 1993 1 
			 1994 2 
			 1995 1 
			 1996 1 
			 1997 0 
			 1998 3 
			 1999 2 
			 2000 3 
			 2001 3 
			 2002 2 
			 2003 0 
			 2004 2 
			 2005 2 
			 Total 27

Citygate Public Affairs Ltd

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what meetings his Department has held with Citygate Public Affairs Ltd. since July.

Charles Clarke: The Department does not maintain a central list of such contacts. Ministers and civil servants, including special advisers meet many people as part of the process of policy development and business delivery. All such contacts are conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Ministerial Code, Civil Service Code, Code of Conduct for Special Advisers and Guidance for civil servants on contacts with lobbyists and people outside Government.

Correspondence

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Walsall North of 1 November regarding a constituent, reference M26613/5.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 8 December 2005
	Irefer the hon. Member to my answer of 7 December 2005, Official Report, column 1357W.

Correspondence

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department will reply to the letters from the hon. Member for Warley of (a) 27 October regarding Mr. Munye, Jordan Close, Smethwick, (b) 13 September regarding Mrs. McBride, Wigon Road, Smethwick, (c) 5 October regarding Mr.Dalvir Singh, Tollgate Shopping Centre, Smethwick and (d) 16 November regarding Mr. Mohammed Hasan, 25Beacon Close, Smethwick.

Tony McNulty: The information requested is as follows:
	(a) The Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to the right hon. Member for Warley about Mr.Munye on 14 December 2005.
	(b) The Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to the right hon. Member for Warley about Mrs.McBride on 7 December 2005.
	(c) The Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to the right hon. Member for Warley about Mr.Singh on 13 December 2005.
	(d) The Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to the right hon. Member for Warley about Mr.Hasan on 14 December 2005.

Correspondence

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department will reply to the letter of 15 September from the right hon. Member for Warley regarding (a) Mr. Rolando March, Priory Close, Smethwick and (b) Mr. Tvala, Melbourne Road, Smethwick.

Tony McNulty: The information requested is as follows:
	(a) The Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to the right hon. Member for Warley about Mr.March on 13 December 2005.
	(b) The Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to the right hon. Member for Warley about Mr.Tvala on 13 December 2005.

Correspondence

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department will reply to the letter of 14 September from the right hon. Member for Warley regarding (a) Mr. Kushnau, Woodlands Street, Smethwick and (b) Mr. Mahmoud, High Road, Smethwick.

Tony McNulty: The information requested is as follows:
	(a) Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to the right hon. Member for Warley about Mr.Kushnau on 14 December 2005.
	(b) Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to the right hon. Member for Warley about Mr.Mahmoud on 12 December 2005.

Correspondence

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter of 4 October 2005 from the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood, regarding Neville Harding, reference H353358.

Tony McNulty: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood about Mr. Harding on 14 December 2005.

Correspondence

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter of 25 October from the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood, regarding Claudia Velvalee Love James, reference J1018480.

Tony McNulty: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to the right hon. Member for Warley (Mr. Spellar) about Ms James on 14 December 2005.

Criminal Records Bureau

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the national targets are for the Criminal Records Bureau; and what the performance of its offices in South Devon has been against those targets.

Andy Burnham: The Criminal Records Bureau's (CRB) Published Service Standards are to issue 93 per cent. of Standard Disclosures within two weeks and 90 per cent. of Enhanced Disclosures within four weeks.
	The CRB is a national service operating from its headquarters in Liverpool. However, Enhanced Disclosure applications are referred by the CRB to relevant police forces for them to perform a check of their local records. South Devon falls within the remit of Devon and Cornwall constabulary and, in line with the other forces in England and Wales, operates to a two week service level agreement with the CRB to complete this work.
	Over the last four weeks the Disclosure Unit within Devon and Cornwall constabulary averaged 7.26 days for the work referred to them by the CRB.

Custodial Sentences (Mothers)

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what offences custodial sentences were imposed on mothers in the last 12 months for which information is available; and how many mothers serving custodial sentences (a) have and (b) do not have their child with them in prison.

Fiona Mactaggart: Information on the number of mothers sentenced to custodial sentences, and the offences for which they were sentenced, is not centrally available. During the period 29 November 2004 to 28 November 2005 the number of women who had a child with them in a Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) in a prison ranged between 38 and 66 per week and averaged 44 per week. Figures on the number of women prisoners who have children resident in the community are not available centrally.

Deportation

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he takes if a deportee is discovered to have suffered an unfair trial, torture or ill treatment, in contravention of the UK's agreement with the receiving country.

Tony McNulty: We firmly believe that Governments are entering into these agreements in good faith, and are confident that they will abide by the terms of any assurances given. Any contravention of a bilateral international agreement between Her Majesty's Government and another Government would be a matter of considerable concern.
	If there were an allegation suggesting that the terms of an agreement had not been honoured, we would seek an immediate report of the circumstances from the authorities of the receiving state, and would request immediate access to the individual concerned.
	Action thereafter would depend on the nature of the breach, and on the remedial action, if any, taken by the authorities in the country concerned; it could include a request for an independent inquiry, and/or a request for the receiving state to take remedial action. Failure to comply with formal political commitments in a Memorandum of Understanding or similar political instrument can seriously damage relations between the signatory states, and the standing of the state concerned in the international community generally.

Deportation

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those countries where there are substantial grounds to believe that a person deported would be subject to torture with which the UK (a) has signed a memorandum of understanding and (b) is in the process of negotiating a memorandum of understanding allowing the deportation of individuals who are citizens of that state, including those who pose a threat to national security and public order; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Government have signed Memorandums of Understanding with Jordan and with Libya to facilitate the deportation of particular individuals consistent with our international human rights obligations, in particular those in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). We are discussing similar arrangements with Algeria and the Lebanon. We have said we will make public the names of the other countries to which we are talking when the time is right.

Detention Centres (Medical Services)

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons his Department is responsible for the provision of medical services in detention centres for asylum seekers; and what the arrangements are for liaison with (a) the NHS and (b) the local primary care trust on such services.

Tony McNulty: The provision of primary health care services in contracted-out immigration removal centres is an integral part of the contractual arrangements for the management and operation of those centres, for which the Home Office immigration and nationality directorate (IND) has overall responsibility.
	There is regular liaison between IND and Department of Health officials over issues that will affect removal centres collectively, and removal centres and primary care trusts are being encouraged to work together to develop local protocols to improve the interface between health care services within the centres and the local NHS.

Detention Centres (Medical Services)

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which companies have been contracted to provide medical services to each detention centre for asylum seekers in England.

Tony McNulty: Three of the nine immigration removal centres in England are directly managed, being operated by the Prison Service on behalf of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. Primary health care services at the centres concerned (Dover, Haslar and Lindholme) are therefore provided under normal Prison Service arrangements.
	The six privately run removal centres are operated under separate contracts. The operators are: Global Solutions Ltd. at Campsfield, Oakington, Tinsley House and Yarl's Wood; Serco at Colnbrook; and UKDS Ltd. at Harmondsworth.
	Removal centre contracts include requirements to provide specified primary health care services to detained persons. It is for the individual contractors todecide how to deliver their contractual obligations for the provision of primary health care services, whether through in-house delivery, via a health care sub-contractor, or a mix of both approaches.

DNA Database

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there is provision to remove from the National DNA Database details of a DNA sample of a minor who has never been charged or cautioned.

Andy Burnham: Yes. Section 64 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984, as amended, enables the police to retain DNA samples (and profiles) taken from individuals arrested for, informed they will be reported for or charged with a recordable offence and detained in a police station. The police may retain the sample even when the individual has not been convicted of the offence for which the sample was taken. The decision whether to retain or remove a sample is an operational one for the chief constable of the police force which took it. There is no distinction in PACE between samples taken from an adult or a minor.

EU Maritime Border Guard Corps

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the creation of an EU maritime border guard corps to tackle illegal immigration in the Mediterranean.

Tony McNulty: The European Commission's Communication of 30 November 2005 on Priority Actions for Responding to the Challenges of Migration notes that the EU Border Management Agency (Frontex) will be requested to launch in 2006 a feasibility study on reinforcing monitoring and surveillance of the Mediterranean Sea, and on a Mediterranean Coastal Patrols Network involving EU member states and North African countries.
	The Government support the launch of such a feasibility study, given the need, identified in the Hague Programme, for EU member states to co-operate more closely to combat illegal immigration flows and to prevent humanitarian tragedies occurring in the Mediterranean. A Mediterranean Coastal Patrols Network would not be an EU maritime border guard corps. It would facilitate contact and coordination between member states' sea border surveillance authorities and search and rescue services and proper links with North African countries.

Fraud Trials (Juries)

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in developing the Government's proposals in relation to the use of juries in fraud trials.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Government's policy remains that certain very serious and complex fraud cases ought not to be tried by a jury and that trial by judge alone, as provided for by section 43 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, represents the best way forward. However, we have offered to discuss alternatives to jury trial with the Opposition parties, if they have concrete proposals to bring forward.

HM Prison Brixton

Peter Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what the cost was over the last 12 months of additional (a) overtime and (b) staff needed to replace officers suspended at HM Prison Brixton;
	(2)  how many prison officers are suspended on full pay (a) in the prison service and (b) at HM Prison Brixton;
	(3)  what the cost was over the past 12 months of salaries paid to officers at HM Prison Brixton who had been suspended;
	(4)  what the cost of salaries paid to prison officers suspended on full pay in the prison service was in the last 12 months.

Fiona Mactaggart: Staff are required to work additional hours to ensure that a deliverable regime is maintained and major services to prisoners are not affected by any staff shortages. Staff are repaid for working these additional hours by time off in lieu. No overtime has been paid for the specific reason of replacing suspended staff.
	Information on the number of prison officers suspended across the service is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. It is therefore not possible to provide the total cost to the service of salaries paid to prison officers, suspended on full pay, over the past 12 months. Currently five officers are suspended on full pay from Brixton prison. In the period 1 November 2004 to date, nine officers have been suspended on full pay from duty at Brixton. The total cost of the salaries paid to these officers in that period is 168,000.

Leave to Remain

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 24 November 2005, Official Report, column 2317W, on leave to remain, what percentage of postal applications was processed in (a) 20 and (b) 70 working days in the last year for which figures are available.

Tony McNulty: Applications under the provisions of the European Community Association Agreements (ECAA) fall into the category of non-charged casework. The published service standards for this category are 25 per cent. of postal applications to be processed in 20 working days and 30 per cent. in 70 working days.
	The average time taken from the date of receipt until the date of decision for European Community Association Agreement (ECAA) applications during the period 1 August to 31 October 2005 was 331 days. This information is provisional management information.

National Lottery

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many businesses were prosecuted for selling lottery tickets and scratch cards to under 16s in Tamworth constituency in the last five years.

Fiona Mactaggart: Information taken from the court proceedings database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform shows that between 2000 and 2004, there were no prosecutions of businesses at the magistrates courts in the Staffordshire police force area under S13a National Lottery etc. Act 1993. It is not possible to identify those prosecutions in the Tamworth constituency, as the data is not collected at this level of detail.
	Court statistics for 2005 will be available autumn 2006.
	The lottery operator is required to ensure sufficient controls are in place to prevent sales to under 16s. Examples include test purchasing programmes and retailer training and education. It will also remove the lottery terminal if a retailer is found to have made repeat sales to people under 16.

Parliamentary Questions

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his Department's target is for the time taken to answer written parliamentary questions.

Charles Clarke: The Department's target for responses to ordinary written questions is five sitting days.
	Ministers give serious attention and make every effort to answer questions substantively and in accordance with the performance guidelines set.
	The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of Departments in replying to Members/Peers correspondence. The Report for 2004 was published on 6 April 2005, Official Report, columns 137140WS. Reports for earlier years are available in the Library of the House.

Passport Applications

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) new and (b) renewed UK passport applications were processed at the Belfast passport office in (i) 2003 and (ii) 2004.

Andy Burnham: The number of new passport applications and passport renewal applications processed by the United Kingdom Passport Service at the Belfast office are as follows:
	
		
			  New Renewal 
		
		
			 2003 90,406 120,999 
			 2004 94,521 181,561

Police Numbers

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the ratio of police officers to inhabitants in (a) each London borough and (b) each county has been in each year since 1997.

Hazel Blears: The deployment of officers to the London Borough Operational Command Units is an operational matter for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis (Sir Ian Blair). Information on the number of officers to population for each London borough is only available from March 2003 and is set out in the table.
	Information on the number of police officers to 100,000 population for each police force area in England and Wales can be found in Home Office statistical bulletins on police service strength for each year from March 1998. Copies of these are in the House of Commons Library.
	
		Metropolitan PoliceLondon Borough police officer numbers to population
		
			 London Borough Operational Number of officers to 100,000 population 
			 Command Unit March 2003 March 2004 March 2005 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 219 229 253 
			 Barnet 166 169 173 
			 Bexley 144 154 175 
			 Brent 235 251 254 
			 Bromley 141 155 164 
			 Camden 362 384 404 
			 City of Westminster 862 859 728 
			 Croydon 188 196 206 
			 Ealing 216 226 225 
			 Enfield 178 191 205 
			 Greenwich 281 263 271 
			 Hackney 331 364 378 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 310 298 302 
			 Haringey 292 303 304 
			 Harrow 145 157 162 
			 Havering 151 153 171 
			 Hillingdon 189 196 201 
			 Hounslow 220 218 239 
			 Islington 354 376 379 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 332 348 322 
			 Kingston-upon-Thames 184 183 198 
			 Lambeth 363 346 367 
			 Lewisham 229 246 260 
			 Merton 161 176 184 
			 Newham 283 308 312 
			 Redbridge 164 180 187 
			 Richmond-upon-Thames 164 164 160 
			 Southwark 342 346 351 
			 Sutton 148 155 163 
			 Tower Hamlets 349 368 368 
			 Waltham Forest 222 239 246 
			 Wandsworth 214 227 212

Prison Population

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the future prison population; and what plans he has to meet these projections.

Fiona Mactaggart: The most recent prison population projections are in the Home Office Statistical Bulletin 10/05 Updated and Revised Prison Population Projections, 20052011, England and WalesJuly 2005. Figures for 10 scenarios can be found in this document. The scenarios range from 'High' to 'Low'. Projected total prison population figures (end of June) for 'High' and 'Low' scenarios for the relevant financial years are presented in the following table.
	The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) keeps under review the demand on prison places and the capacity of prisons to accommodate those prisoners sent to them by the courts. The operational capacity of the prison estate is being increased by bringing accommodation back into use and through additional places being built at existing prisons.
	
		Projected prison population(11)
		
			  High Low 
		
		
			 2005 76,600 76,110 
			 2006 79,490 76,060 
			 2007 84,260 76,670 
			 2008 87,870 77,310 
			 2009 89,400 77,080 
			 2010 91,500 77,380 
			 2011 90,780 76,520 
		
	
	(11)End of June figures.

Prisons

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  when telephone charge rates for BT telephones in prisons were last reviewed;
	(2)  for what reasons the cost of telephone calls from BT telephones in prisons differs from the cost charged to those using BT telephones elsewhere.

Fiona Mactaggart: The cost of prisoners' telephone calls is reviewed quarterly. Call rates are no longer linked to public payphone rates, they are agreed under the terms of the contract with BT which allows the Prison Service to set appropriate charges, taking account of the pattern of calls, as well as maintenance costs. The minimum charge, which is lower than that for public phones, reflects the fact that prisoners' calls tend to be of short duration.

Prisons

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 1 December 2005, Official Report, column 762W, on prisons, what plans he has to conduct a further survey of the prevalence of blood-borne viruses in prisoners, with particular reference to viruses transmitted sexually.

Fiona Mactaggart: We have no such plans.

Prisons

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to announce his decision on the contestability bid for the three prisons on the Isle of Sheppey; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: An announcement about the performance improvement test of three prisons on the Isle of Sheppey will be made as soon as possible.

Probation Officers

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many probation officers were employed in (a) Southend, (b) Essex, (c) Hertfordshire and (d) the Metropolitan area of London in each of the last 15 years for which figures are available.

Fiona Mactaggart: Information is not available for the full period requested. Data collected prior to 1 April 2003 is unreliable, and is not directly comparable with the more accurate figures collected since that time. The figures presented in the table show full-time equivalent (FTE) figures at the close of each quarter from 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2005. Please also note that the data for quarter one 200304 cannot be separated to show probation officers only, and is not included in the table as a result.
	Staffing information is collected by probation area, and is not collected centrally in sufficient detail to allow figures for Southend to be presented separately. The staffing figures are provided for the Essex, London, and Hertfordshire Probation Areas only.
	
		Essex Probation Area
		
			 200405 200506 
			  Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 
		
		
			 Senior Probation Officer 31.2 31.8 30.9 30.4 29.4 32.6 33.1 32.1 
			 Senior Practitioner 11.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 13.0 12.0 13.0 13.0 
			 Probation Officer 63.8 67.4 74.6 74.4 70.5 75.5 74.1 69.9 
			 Trainee Probation Officer 29.0 36.0 43.0 42.0 40.0 39.0 43.0 42.0 
			 Probation Officer Total 135.0 147.2 160.5 158.8 152.9 159.1 163.2 157.0 
		
	
	
		London probation area
		
			   200405 200506 
			  Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 
		
		
			 Senior Probation Officer 207.3 222.0 197.0 2053 196.1 1883 1743 171.4 
			 Senior Practitioner 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 Probation Officer 588.4 618.5 665.5 6593 678.5 647.1 660.3 648.7 
			 Trainee Probation Officer 204.0 229.0 244.0 243.0 216.0 247.0 236.0 247.0 
			 Probation Officer Total 999.7 1069.5 1106.5 1107.8 1090.6 1082.4 1070.5 1067.1 
		
	
	
		Hertfordshire probation area
		
			 200405 200506 
			  Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 
		
		
			 Senior Probation Officer 11.0 11.0 12.0 10.0 11.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 
			 Senior Practitioner 11.0 13.0 11.0 11.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 
			 Probation Officer 41.7 41.9 49.0 51.0 49.7 49.7 53.1 49.1 
			 Trainee Probation Officer 28.0 23.0 25.0 24.0 24.0 24.0 18.0 16.0 
			 Probation Officer Total 91.7 88.9 97.0 96.0 96.7 95.7 93.1 87.1

Probation Officers

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been employed in the Probation Service in (a) Southend, (b) Essex, (c) the Metropolitan Police area of London and (d) Hertfordshire, broken down by grade, since 1995.

Fiona Mactaggart: Information is not available for the full period requested. Data collected prior to 1 April 2003 is unreliable, and is not directly comparable with the more accurate figures collected since that time. The figures presented in the table show full time equivalent (FTE) figures at the close of each quarter from 1 April 2003 to 30 June 2005.
	Staffing information is collected by probation area, and is not collected centrally in sufficient detail to allow figures for Southend to be presented separately. The staffing figures are provided for the Essex, London, and Hertfordshire probation areas only.
	
		Essex probation area
		
			  200304 200405 200506 
			 Staff in post by grade Q1(12) Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q 3 Q 4 Q 1 
		
		
			 Senior Probation Officer  312 31.8 30.9 30.4 29.4 32.6 33.1 32.1 
			 Senior Practitioner  11.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 13.0 12.0 13.0 13.0 
			 Probation Officer  63.8 67.4 74.6 74.4 70.5 75.5 74.1 69.9 
			 Trainee Probation Officer  29.0 36.0 43.0 42.0 40.0 39.0 43.0 42.0 
			 Probation Services Officer  175.9 173.7 168.5 177.5 175.1 185.6 189.9 167.9 
			 Psychologists  1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 
			 Other Operational Staff  2.8 1.3 1.7 1.7 1.7 12 12 12 
			 Operational Staff Total 316.0 314.7 323.2 331.7 339.0 330.7 347.0 355.3 327.1 
			 Deputy Chief Officers/Director  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 AGO and Equivalent  1.6 1.6 1.6 3.6 1.6 8.6 8.6 8.6 
			 Area/District Manager  1.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 Section or Function Head  13.7 132 142 152 152 14.6 14.6 15.4 
			 Support StaffAdmin  52.7 53.1 48.6 50.4 52.5 53.4 60.8 917 
			 Support StaffOther  0.0 1.0 3.0 6.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 Other Specialist Worker  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 6.5 9.1 9.9 9.9 
			 Support Staff Total 69.4 69.0 69.9 67.4 75.7 75.8 85.7 93.9 125.6 
			 Total Staff 385.4 383.7 393.1 399.1 414.7 406.5 432.6 449.2 452.7 
		
	
	
		London probation area
		
			  200304 200405 200506 
			 Staff in post by grade Q1(12) Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 
		
		
			 Senior Probation Officer  2,073 222.0 197.0 205.5 196.1 188.3 1743 171.4 
			 Senior Practitioner  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 Probation Officer  588.4 618.5 665.5 659.3 678.5 647.1 6603 648.7 
			 Trainee Probation Officer  204.0 229.0 244.0 243.0 216.0 247.0 236.0 247.0 
			 Probation Services Officer  617.0 665.5 704.5 695.3 686.3 6742 7073 722.6 
			 Psychologists  6.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 
			 Other Operational Staff  0.0 55.0 67.0 18.0 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 Operational Staff Total 14,86.5 16,22.7 17,97.0 1885.0 1828.1 1785.9 1760.6 1781.9 1793.7 
			 Deputy Chief Officers/Director  8.0 6.0 9.0 9.0 10.0 10.0 9.0 9.0 
			 AGO and Equivalent  37.0 34.0 35.0 53.0 53.0 49.1 56.0 60.0 
			 Area/District Manager  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 Section or Function Head  0.0 10.0 2.0 5.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 10.0 
			 Support StaffAdmin  568.5 646.0 586.0 561.1 593.6 577.4 529.0 520.4 
			 Support StaffOther  1.8 9.0 8.0 9.0 7.0 02 1.4 1.4 
			 Other Specialist Worker  0.0 8.0 13.0 14.0 9.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 Support Staff Total 684.0 615.3 7ao 653.0 651.1 672.6 637.7 595.4 600.8 
			 Total Staff 2170.5 2238.0 2510.0 2538.0 24792 2458.5 2398.3 2377.3 2394.5 
		
	
	
		Hertfordshire probation area
		
			  200304 200405 200506 
			 Staff in post by grade Q1(12) Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 
		
		
			 Senior Probation Officer  11.0 11.0 12.0 10.0 11.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 
			 Senior Practitioner  11.0 13.0 11.0 11.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 
			 Probation Officer  417 41.9 49.0 51.0 49.7 497 53.1 49.1 
			 Trainee Probation Officer  28.0 23.0 25.0 24.0 24.0 24.0 18.0 16.0 
			 Probation Services Officer  55.8 54.0 523 533 58.1 582 61.9 64.4 
			 Psychologists  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 Other Operational Staff  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 J 0.0 0.0 
			 Operational Staff Total 84.4 147.5 142.9 149.3 149.3 154.8 153.9 155.0 151.5 
			 Deputy Chief Officers/Director  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 AGO and Equivalent  3.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 
			 Area/District Manager  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 Section or Function Head  6.6 6.6 7.6 7.6 9.6 9.6 9.6 9.6 
			 Support Staff Admin  17.4 16.6 13.8 12.8 12.8 12.8 12.8 12.8 
			 Support StaffOther  40.1 427 40.6 39.0 40.0 40.0 35.8 34.4 
			 Other Specialist Worker  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 Support Staff Total 68.4 67.1 69.9 66.0 63.4 66.4 66.4 622 60.8 
			 Total Staff 152.8 214.6 212.7 215.3 212.7 221.2 220.3 2172 212.3 
		
	
	(12)Data for quarter is not available by grade, so has been provided as totals only.

Returned Detainees

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with foreign Governments on returning to secure detention in those countries of their nationals held in British prisons.

Fiona Mactaggart: The United Kingdom is a signatory to two multi-party prisoner transfer agreements: the Council of Europe Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, and the Commonwealth Scheme for the Transfer of Convicted Offenders. In addition, the Government have concluded bilateral prisoner transfer agreements with 18 countries. The UK has prisoner transfer agreements with a total of 97 countries and territories and is in regular contact with the Governments concerned about the transfer of individual prisoners.
	Prisoner transfer under these agreements is voluntary; the consent of both states involved, and of the prisoner concerned, is required before repatriation can take place. In 2004, 107 prisoners were transferred from prisons in England and Wales to other countries to continue serving their sentences.

Secure Establishments

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) assaults and (b) violent offences there have been in (i) home office youth establishments, (ii) local authority secure accommodation and (iii) secure training centres in each of the last three years.

Fiona Mactaggart: Full-year information is available only for the most recent year, 2004. The relevant data relates to incidents of assault. 'Violent offences' are not treated as a separate category. In Prison Service young offender institutions, 1,223 assaults were recorded in 2004 and in secure training centres 1,128 were recorded. Currently no information is collected centrally about assaults in local authority secure children's homes.

Secure Establishments

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how often the Home Office monitors review videos of (a) movement of children around and (b) restraint of children in secure training centres.

Fiona Mactaggart: The primary function of CCTV systems at secure training centres is to allow the operators to maintain the security of the premises, prevent crime and, if a crime were committed, to assist with the investigation of the crime . The systems are also designed to give confidence to trainees, staff and visitors that they are in a secure environment.
	The systems are not intended as a means of assisting the Youth Justice Board's performance monitors to monitor the contractors' performance. However, the monitors do, on occasion, make use of the systems for that purpose. For example, if a monitor has concerns that an incident report is unclear, or if the report raises doubts whether the incident has been handled correctly, he or she may decide to view the footage of the incident. Or if a young person makes a complaint about an incident at the centre, the monitor may choose to view the relevant footage to enable him or her to consider the complaint.

Sentencing Policy

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he has put in place to monitor the effectiveness of sentencing policy.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Home Office routinely monitors the effectiveness of sentencing in reducing re-offending through examining reconviction data. Records from the Police National Computer are used to ascertain whether sampled cohorts of offenders have been convicted of further offences during the two year period (one year for juvenile offenders) either following the imposition of sentence (in the case of community sentences or fines) or following release from prison (in the case of custodial sentences).
	For the purposes of measuring performance against Public Service Agreement (PSA) targets to reduce re-offending of adults and juveniles by 5 per cent. by 2006 from a 2000 baseline, the Home Office publishes annual statistics on reconviction rates (for adults and juveniles separatelysee http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/onlinepubs1.html) showing rates for a variety of sentences. The statistics show both actual reconviction rates and predicted reconviction rates.

Sex Offenders

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the performance indicators are for the monitoring of sex offenders for each police authority area in England and Wales.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) have been in place since 2001 and have already made a significant contribution to public protection. Under the MAPPA, the police, probation and prison services, supported by additional agencies including housing, health and social services, combine forces to manage the risk to the public posed by sexual and violent offenders. Those critical few offenders that pose the highest risk are referred to a Multi-Agency Public Protection Panel (MAPPP), wheretheir cases are regularly scrutinised by senior representatives of local agencies.
	From next year police and probation areas have been asked to produce business plans which will aid the monitoring and development of the MAPPA locally. Each area is already obliged to produce an annual report to highlight the work undertaken within the MAPPA to protect local communities. The annual reports published in October showed that only a very small proportion of offenders managed at the highest levels in the community were charged with a serious further offence (SFO), indicating a robust level of management.
	The Association of Chief Police Officers are currently developing a public protection manual to provide central guidance to police forces in managing not only sex offenders in the community but covering all areas of public protection. This is due in 2006.

Skilled Migrants

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many (a) teachers, (b) IT specialists and (c) engineers from (i) Sierra Leone, (ii) Malawi, (iii) Tanzania, (iv) Ghana, (v) Zambia, (vi) Africa, (vii) South Asia and (viii) other Asian countries have been admitted to the United Kingdom under the terms of (A) the work permits system and (B)the highly skilled migrants programme in each year since 1997;
	(2)  how many nurses from (a) Sierra Leone, (b) Malawi, (c) Tanzania, (d) Ghana, (e) Zambia and (f) Africa have been admitted to the United Kingdom under the terms of the work permit system in each year since 1997;
	(3)  how many general practitioners from (a) Sierra Leone, (b) Malawi, (c) Tanzania, (d) Ghana, (e) Zambia and (f) Africa were admitted to the United Kingdom under the terms of the (i) Highly Skilled Migrant Programme and (ii) Work Permit Scheme in each year since 2002.

Tony McNulty: The requested information is not available.

Video Games

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of controls on the sale of violent video games; and what recent discussions he has had regarding (a) controls and (b) penalties for those who provide access to them for underage children.

James Purnell: I have been asked to reply.
	The penalties for supplying a grossly violent video game to a child who does not meet the age requirement are up to six months in prison and/or a fine of up to 5,000; these are among the toughest penalties in Europe. We have been working with industry trade associations to ensure that retail staff are aware of these penalties, and are continuing to explore with them ways of increasing parental awareness of the contents of video games and the classification system.

Women Prisoners

Rudi Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the women who have taken their own lives in prisons since 1975 in cases where all proceedings are complete.

Fiona Mactaggart: As publishing such details can cause distress to the families of those bereaved by a self-inflicted death in prison, I will write to the hon. Member with the information available.

Youth Crime

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with the (a) Secretary of State for Wales, (b) Secretary of State for Scotland, (c) Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, (d) First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales Government, (e) First Minister of the Scottish Executive and (f) Mayor of London on youth crime; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: There are no records of recent meetings between the Secretary of State for the Home Department and any of the individuals listed in the question for the specific purpose of discussing youth crime.
	Officials from the Home Office and the Youth Justice Board are in regular contact with the devolved and other administrations listed in the question on a range of issues, including youth crime and have recently had a number of meetings with them about youth justice legislation.

SCOTLAND

Departmental Estate

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was paid by his Department in 200405 in rent for properties in (a) total, (b) Scotland and (c) London.

David Cairns: The costs for the buildings rented by the Scotland Office in 200405 are as follows:
	
		
		
			 Building Scotland London Total 
		
		
			 Dover House  12,338 12,338 
			 Melville Crescent,  Edinburgh 135,250  135,250 
			 Total 135,250 12,338 147,588 
		
	
	The Office pays a reduced rent for Dover House and consequently an adjustment is made in the resource accounts of the Office to reflect this; the latest net book value of the building is 1.09 million.
	In addition, the Office has a small amount of accommodation in Meridian Court, Glasgow and Frederick Street, Edinburgh. These premises are shared with other Departments. The Office pays an agreed share of the overall running costs of each building which includes such items as rent, rates, utilities, cleaning and security and a separate record is not held of the rental element of the costs. The costs of the agreed share in 200405 for Meridian Court was 21,797 and for Frederick Street was 7,107.

Departmental Expenditure

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the total value is of (a) catering and (b) entertainment contracts let by his Department; and what value of such contracts has been let in each nation and region of the UK, including London.

David Cairns: The Scotland Office does not hold any catering or entertainment contracts.

Departmental Research

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research projects commissioned by his Department are being undertaken; and what the publication arrangements are in each case.

David Cairns: None.

Departmental Staff (Chronic Back Pain)

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what initiatives are being taken in his Department to help civil servants with chronic back pain.

David Cairns: All the staff in the Scotland Office are on loan from the Scottish Executive or the Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA). Both the DCA and the Executive can arrange for provision of practical and timely support for employees with chronic back pain or other health problems, including mental health.

Disability

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether a Minister in his Department is planned to be nominated to take responsibility for liaison with the Office for Disability Issues; and if he will make a statement.

David Cairns: Overall responsibility for the Office for Disability Issues (ODI) comes within the remit of the Department for Work and Pensions. I will liaise with ODI for this Office's interest.

Disability

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the initial activity undertaken by his Department in response to those recommendations in the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit Report Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People where lead responsibility was assigned to all Government Departments.

David Cairns: Policy responsibility for the recommendations of the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit Report lies with other Government Departments. Scotland Office officials attended the Scottish consultation on the Office for Disability Issues and will continue to keep a watching brief in relation to Scotland.

Public Relations

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the value was of (a) public opinion research and (b) public relations contracts issued by his Department in 200405.

David Cairns: The Scotland Office did not award any contracts for public opinion research or public relations in 200405.

Rates

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was paid by his Department in rates in 200405, broken down by local authority; and how much was paid in rates in 200405 in London.

David Cairns: The payments for rates for the Scotland Office in 200405 were:
	
		
		
			 Name and address Local authority Cost 
		
		
			 Dover House, Whitehall,  London, SW1A 2AU City of Westminster 131,100 
			 1 Melville Crescent,  Edinburgh, EH3 7HW City of Edinburgh 48,118 
		
	
	In addition, the Office has a small amount of accommodation in Meridian Court, Glasgow and Frederick Street, Edinburgh. These premises are shared with other Departments. The Office pays an agreed share of the overall running costs of each building which includes such items as rent, rates, utilities, cleaning and security and a separate record is not held of the rates element of the costs. The costs of the agreed share in 200405 for Meridian Court was 21,797 and for Frederick Street was 7,107.

Taxis

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been spent by his Department on taxi travel in the 200506 financial year; and what proportion of such travel was undertaken in each nation and region of the UK, including London.

David Cairns: The Scotland Office does not record the costs of taxi travel by region. Expenditure on taxi travel for the current financial year, to the end of November 2005, is 5,713.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Agricultural Products (Designation)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what agricultural products she plans to designate as sensitive in the forthcoming World Trade Organisation negotiations.

Ben Bradshaw: The issue of sensitive products is a key aspect of the negotiations on agricultural market access. The principle that WTO Members may designate an appropriate number of sensitive products was established under the July 2004 Framework Agreement. However, the number and treatment of sensitive products have yet to be agreed under the negotiations. When these issues are agreed, it will be for the EU as a whole, rather than for individual EU member states, to designate the sensitive products. The UK's position in these EU discussions will be guided both by our firm support for the Doha Development Agenda mandate to secure substantial improvements in agricultural market access, and by the position of key UK stakeholders.

Animal Disposal

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many calls have been made to the Animal Health Divisional Office requesting collection of dead sheep in each year since 2002.

Ben Bradshaw: Since 2002, the number of recorded calls made to Animal Health Divisional Offices are as follows:
	
		
			  Great Britain Northern Ireland Total 
		
		
			 2002 (13)225 195 420 
			 2003 4,063 918 4,981 
			 2004 5,615 603 6,218 
			 2005 (to 1 December 2005) 8,834 1,501 10,335 
			 Total 18,737 3,217 21,954 
		
	
	(13)GB only started receiving information from AHDOs in October of 2002.

Animal Fairs

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether it is her intention that there will be a full public consultation on animal fairs in relation to the Animal Welfare Bill; and when a regulatory impact assessment for the Bill will be published.

Ben Bradshaw: A Regulatory Impact Assessment for the Animal Welfare Bill was published on 14 October 2005. This includes information on our plans for consultation about pet fairs.

Animal Feed

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much (a) feed barley and (b) feed wheat was produced in the United Kingdom in each year since 200102.

Jim Knight: Estimates of the quantity of wheat and barley used for animal feed in the UK are given in the following table:
	
		United Kingdom feed use of wheat and barley -- Thousand tonnes
		
			  200102 200203 200304 200405 200506 
		
		
			 Total wheat 6,159 6,891 6,491 6,862 6,807 
			 Of which home grown 5,690 6,677 6,314 6,849 6,759 
			   
			 Total barley 3,885 3,285 3,494 3,137 3,021 
			 Of which home grown 3,794 n/a n/a n/a n/a 
		
	
	For confidentiality reasons home grown barley figures are not available from 200203.
	Excludes exports of UK produced wheat and barley. Information on the end use of exports is not available and therefore the quantity of exports subsequently used for animal feed is not known.

Animal TB

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the number of (a) cats and (b) ferrets identified with Type 13 TB in (i) England and (ii) Sussex.

Ben Bradshaw: Bovine TB does affect both cats and ferrets. The incidence seems low, but TB in these species is not notifiable. So far this year in Great Britain, the Veterinary Laboratory Agency has diagnosed nine cases of bovine TB in cats, and one case in a ferret. Of these, spoligotype 13 has been isolated from one cat, and the ferret. Both of these animals came from the East Sussex area.
	The disclosure of TB lesions will become officially notifiable in farmed and pet mammals when the new TB (England) Order comes into force on 20 February 2006.

Bovine TB

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many badgers have been identified as infected with tuberculosis following the implementation of testing of badgers involved in road traffic accidents; and if she will remove the protected status of badgers in infected areas.

Ben Bradshaw: From the beginning of 2002 until the end of 2004, 1,876 badgers were cultured for bovine TB as part of the seven counties road traffic accident survey. 324 badgers were found to be positive.
	Protected status does not prohibit the culling of badgers in appropriate circumstances, so its removal is not a consideration at this time.

Bovine TB

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment the Government have made of the welfare implications for cattle placed under tuberculosis restriction.

Ben Bradshaw: The Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968 makes it an offence to cause or allow unnecessary pain or distress to livestock. And the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2000 set out general welfare, inspection, housing and feeding rules for all farm animals. Enforcement action is taken against farmers who do not comply with this legislation.
	The State Veterinary Service (SVS) enforces the legislation. Its staff conducts regular farm inspections to check compliance.

Bovine TB

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government are taking to halt (a) the geographic spread of tuberculosis in cattle and (b) the decline in the number of ground nesting birds in areas affected by tuberculosis.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government will introduce statutory pre-movement testing of cattle in England from 20 February 2006. This will reduce the risk of spreading TB to areas of the country where the incidence is low. It will also help to reduce the spread of TB between herds in high risk areas.
	Evidence is being gathered about the effect of badgers on ground nesting birds. This is being done through a DEFRA-funded project investigating the ecological consequences of badger removal. Some of this work has been conducted in treatment areas of the randomised badger culling trial. The project also involves an exhaustive literature review and experimental field research using artificial bird nests. The results from the project will be presented to DEFRA in March 2007.

Bovine TB

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost of tuberculosis testing for bovine tuberculosis was in each of the last three years; and what the costs of culling animals affected by tuberculosis were in each year.

Ben Bradshaw: Summary of GB TB expenditure for periods 200203 to 200405.
	
		 million
		
			 Activity 200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Cattle Testing 24.7 33.2 36.4 
			 Compensation 31.9 34.4 35.0 
			 Culling Trial 6.6 7.3 7.2 
			 Other Research 6.5 7.0 5.7 
			 VLA 4.1 5.3 4.9 
			 HQ/Overheads 0.7 1.0 1.3 
			 Total 74.5 88.2 90.5 
		
	
	TB expenditure in 200304 increased by 18.4 per cent. on 200203.
	TB expenditure for 200405 shows increase of 2.6 per cent. on 200304.

Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to encourage more countries to sign the international agreement on the conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels.

Jim Knight: The United Kingdom, as a contracting party to the agreement on the conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) and as the current chair of the Advisory Committee, strongly supports the ACAP secretariat in its efforts to encourage more non-party range states to sign up to the agreement.
	To reinforce those efforts, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office approached several countries last year, including Japan, Korea, Brazil, Peru and Chile, encouraging them to join ACAP. Peru have since ratified the Agreement.

Correspondence

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Brent East, dated 9 December 2004, regarding Ms Rosanna Kelly.

Ben Bradshaw: I apologise for failing to reply to the hon. Member. This was due to an administrative error. I have commissioned an urgent reply.

Departmental Consultants

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many secondees there have been to her Department from consultancy firms, including the Big Four accountancy firms, in each of the last three years; and what areas of the Department they have worked in.

Jim Knight: In the last three years there have been no recorded secondments to DEFRA from the Big Four accountancy firms.
	DEFRA has though seconded a large number of individuals from a wide variety of other organisations but establishing which of these organisations may havea consultancy strand would be possible only at disproportionate cost.
	The term 'secondee' refers to a person 'borrowed' from an organisation outside the civil service for a period of between three months and three years (exceptionally five years), without affecting employment status. During the secondment period the 'secondee' remains an employee of the parent organisation but is expected to abide by the DEFRA Staff Handbook and the Official Secrets Act. Secondees are expected to undertake the full range of duties attached to the post. At the end of the secondment the 'secondee' returns to the parent organisation.

Departmental Property

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was paid by her Department in rent for properties in (a) total, (b) each (i) region and (ii) nation of the UK and (c) London in 200405.

Jim Knight: The amount of rent paid by DEFRA in 200405 is given in the following table:
	
		 million
		
			 (a) Total 22.66 
		
		
			 (b) (i) East Midlands 0.09 
			  East of England 2.65 
			  London 12.97 
			  North East 1.09 
			  North West 0.18 
			  South East 3.68 
			  South West 1.30 
			  West Midlands 0.27 
			  Yorkshire and Humber 0.24 
			
			 (b) (ii) England 22.47 
			  Scotland 0.10 
			  Wales 0.09

Departmental Staff

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff are employed by her Department in each (a) region and (b) nation of the UK; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The figures requested are published in civil service statistics. Table D covers permanent staff numbers on a full-time equivalent basis in each Department and agency. Civil service statistics are available in the Library and at the following address on the Cabinet Office statistics website: http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management of the civil service/statistics/civil service statistics/index.asp

Departmental Staff

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what initiatives are being taken in her Department to help civil servants with chronic back pain.

Jim Knight: The Department and its executive agencies have various mechanisms in place to assist staff with back disorders and put preventative measures into place.
	Workstation assessments procedures are in place for all VDU users, and staff are encouraged to report all work-related back pain via accident/ill health reporting procedures.
	These are followed up as appropriate, with use of specialist assessments for advice on adjustments and specialist accessories/new furniture, or by referral to occupational health service providers.
	Guidance and Information is available on intranetswith links to Health and Safety Executive campaigns and brochures related to back disorders and other MSDs.
	There are also online training packages which encompass advice and best practice in relation to ergonomics, posture etc. to reduce upper limb and back pain.
	Manual handling courses are advised and/or arranged for any 'at risk' staff and many sites have onsite fitness centres. Many roadshows and promotional events are arranged throughout the year.

Departmental Transport

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answers of 29 November 2005, Official Report, column 507W and 29 November 2005, Official Report, column 301W, on departmental transport, why the departmental building in Merrow, Guildford does not yet have a Travel Plan; when the joint Travel Plan will be published; whether car parking by staff and contractors outside the departmental buildings in Merrow has been identified as a significant impact; and if her Department will issue instructions to its staff and contractors not to park in residential roads around the departmental building, with particular reference to Down road, Daryngton drive, Carroll avenue, Gateways, Broadwater rise and Pitt Farm road.

Jim Knight: The Department in Merrow did have a Travel Plan, which was made redundant by the increase in numbers of contractors over the last 12 months necessitating a full re-write of the plan.
	The revised Travel Plan will be made available to site users by the end of December and will have been prepared by the Department and IBM.
	Car parking by staff and contractors outside the departmental buildings in Merrow has been identified as a significant impact.
	Staff and contractors who are unable to park on-site, are requested to avoid parking in Down road, Daryngton drive, Carroll avenue, Gateways, Broadwater rise and Pitt Farm road. A site wide notice to all staff and contractors to reiterate this request will be issued on 15 December 2005.

Digital Mapping

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of Statefor Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farmers in the South West submitted incorrect data for digital mapping in each year between 2002 and 2004.

Jim Knight: The Rural Payments Agency is responsible for the administration of digital mapping in England. The RPA developed the RLR between 2002 and 2004 predominantly using land parcels previously claimed for subsidy purposes, notably data received with Area Aid Applications. In some cases this included data from on the spot inspections and any information the applicant provided in the form of mapping requests. The following table shows the number of applicants in the South West where an overclaim was found as a result of an inspection.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2002 386 
			 2003 349 
			 2004 378

Direct Mail

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of Statefor Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  if she will take steps to reduce the amount of paper used in direct mail by encouraging the use of cleared mailing lists;
	(2)  if she will assess the effects on the environment of a (a) 5 per cent. and (b) 10 per cent. reduction in direct mail;
	(3)  when she last met representatives of the direct mail industry to discuss waste paper.

Ben Bradshaw: In July 2003 the Government signed a voluntary producer responsibility agreement with the Direct Marketing Association (DMA), a trade body representing 890 corporate members of the direct mail industry, to increase the recycling of direct mail to 70 per cent. by 2013 (the level of direct mail recycling was about 13 per cent. in 2002). The first target of 30 per cent. is due to be met by the end of 2005.
	As part of the agreement, the DMA have also agreed to reduce waste by improving the targeting of direct mail and by publicising the use of suppression files such as the Mailing Preference Service which allows people to opt out of receiving addressed direct mail.
	The signing of the agreement in July 2003 was the last meeting between my officials and the DMA. However, we have had ongoing correspondence with the DMA who have produced an interim report on their progress in relation to the objectives set out in the agreement. We are currently awaiting the publication of the first formal report which will detail whether they have achieved the 2005 recycling target of 30 per cent. I would expect my officials to hold a progress meeting shortly after the publication of this report in the new year.
	I do not intend to conduct a quantitative analysis of the environmental benefits of reducing direct mail at this time. However a 5 per cent. and 10 per cent. reduction in direct mail will equate to a saving of 271 million and 542 million items of direct mail per year respectively, (based on the current estimate of 5.4 billion items of direct mail being distributed annually). The Government take the view that direct mail is a legitimate method of marketing goods and services and have no plans to introduce legislation prohibiting or restricting the distribution of such mail, although they will continue to encourage and support the use of a voluntary opt-out service.

Entry Level Scheme

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reasons she decided to adopt the regional route in determining entry level scheme payments.

Jim Knight: I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the Entry Level Stewardship strand of Environmental Stewardship. The regional route and the historic route has not been part of the process in determining Entry Level Stewardship payments.
	Entry Level Stewardship has a national payment rate of 30 per hectare, per year. However land parcels of 15hectares or more in the Less Favoured Area, are eligible for payments of 8 per hectare, per year.
	The payment rate for Entry Level Stewardship was determined using a combination of agronomic assumptions based on various farming systems which covers income forgone and costs incurred calculations, along with an incentive element where it was deemed appropriate. A more detailed breakdown setting out the calculations behind each option can be found in the England Rural Development Programme Modification to the Commission.

Environmental Controls

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice she is offering to farmers on whether they will need to register with the Environment Agency for (a) a waste management licence and (b) a pollution prevention and control permit.

Ben Bradshaw: The Environment Agency has issued interim guidance to advise farmers of the regulatory requirements when waste management controls (waste management licensing or waste pollution prevention and control (PPC) permits) apply to agriculture. This guidance was published in Farmers Weekly on 2 December 2005 and will be published in British Farmer and Grower on 28 December 2005. The Environment Agency's National Customer Contact Centre (0845 6033113) has launched a dedicated enquiry line for agricultural waste.
	The Defra funded Environment Sensitive Farming programme (ESF) holds events across all regions of England and Wales for farmers. ESF advises and informs farmers on the new controls. The website can be viewed at http://www.environmentsensitivefarming.co.uk/. In addition, a Recycling Directory that provides recycling and disposal advice to farmers on agricultural waste is available at http://www.wasterecycling.org.uk/. The Environment Agency has set up a Communications Group involving agricultural industry stakeholders. The Communications Group have drafted a plan for a range of activities starting in early 2006 using publications, posters, CDs, pig and poultry events and workshops for intensive livestock operators. These workshops will provide practical assistance to operators in submitting their PPC applications. The Environment Agency has established a website for intensive livestock operators concerning PPC at http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/444304/1224648/1224695/1116263/?version=1lang=_e
	The Environment Agency's Guide for applicants for pig and poultry rearing units is already available and was updated in July 2005. The Environment Agency is currently holding a public consultation on new guidance entitled IPPCHow to complyGuidance for intensive pig and poultry farmers. The consultation ends on 24 February 2006. It is expected that the final guidance will be published in Spring 2006.

EU Sugar Regime

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what criteria were used to agree additional EU support for sugar producers in the French Departement d'Outre Mer; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The additional support for sugar producers in the outermost regions of the EU, including French overseas departments, is based on the specific characteristics distinguishing production in those areas and will be integrated into local support programmes as provided for in the relevant Council Regulations in the POSEI (Programme of Options Specific to Remote and Insular Regions) series.

EU Sugar Regime

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received from farmers on the recent announcement on the EU sugar reforms.

Ben Bradshaw: Farmers representatives have recognised the sugar agreement as a tough but necessary reform, removing recent uncertainties about the future of the sector. They have also asked for early discussions with Ministers on the detail of the compensation arrangements for UK sugar beet growers.

Expert Advisers

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what criteria govern the number of papers a candidate must have published to be considered an expert member of her Department's statutory advisory bodies; and whether, when considering applications for membership of such bodies, her Department takes into account the declaration of conflict of interest at the end of papers published by scientific journals.

Jim Knight: There is not a standard requirement for expert members of DEFRA's advisory committees to have published scientific papers. All appointees must be able to demonstrate they posses the level of expertise and/or experience defined in the post criteria. The Department will seek to satisfy itself that the evidence provided by the candidate is appropriate to the post. The degree of expertise required will be decided on a post-by-post basis, in accordance with the requirements of each committee.
	All applicants are asked to declare any potential conflicts of interest on their application form and again at interview. If the selection panel think there is anything in an application that could potentially be seen to conflict with the work of the committee it will be discussed with the candidate at interview. This approach follows the Commissioner for Public Appointment's code of practice.

Farm Animals (Disease Levy)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the merits of imposing a levy on farmers to pay for the cost of future animal disease outbreaks; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The Joint Industry Government Working Group announced 28 November in the Partners for successA farm regulation and charging strategy will assess the merits of a levy on farmers as part of its consideration of the options for sharing the risks of animal disease outbreaks.

Food Recalls

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the recalls of foodstuffs that have been notified to the Department over the last year for which figures are available.

Caroline Flint: I have been asked to reply.
	The Food Standards Agency (FSA) advises that during the period 1 January-30 November 2005, product withdrawals or product recalls notified to them resulted in the agency issuing 58 Food Alerts for Information (FAFI).
	During that period, the FSA also issued 16 food alerts for action (FAFA). These required the relevant local authority to undertake further investigation and/or enforcement action in order to remove the affected product/s from the food supply chain. In total 74 food alerts were issued.

Home Information Packs

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 15 November 2005, Official Report, column 1061W, on home information packs, if she will place in the Library a copy of her Department's submission.

Ben Bradshaw: A copy of the submission will be made available in the Library of the House. My officials will continue discussions with interested parties on the inclusion of contaminated land reports in Home Imformation Packs.

Home Information Packs

Peter Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) of 15 November 2005, Official Report, column 1061W, on Home Information Packs (HIPs), what information on contaminated land she proposes should be included in HIPs; and if she will place the full submission to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (a) in the Library and (b) on her Department's website.

Ben Bradshaw: The submission referred to in the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) has already been placed in the Library of the House. The Department has not put forward proposals of its own on the contents of Home Information Packs, but will continue discussions with interested parties on the possible inclusion of contaminated land reports in these Packs.

Integrated Pollution Legislation

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the regulatory impact of the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control legislation.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department undertook a regulatory impact assessment (RIA) of the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations 2000, when these regulations were laid before Parliament. A further copy of this RIA will be deposited in the Library of the House.
	The Department, with the support of the devolved Administrations and other Government Departments, is currently undertaking a review which will provide an evaluation of the UK implementation of EC Directive 96/61 on Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control, as implemented through the Pollution and Prevention and Control Regulations 2000, in terms of both costs and benefits. This evaluation is expected to be published in early 2006.

Landfill

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her estimate is of the amount of landfill capacity likely to be available in (a) 2010 and (b) 2015 at present rates of disposal.

Ben Bradshaw: There is sufficient landfill capacity to meet current arisings. Landfill capacity in 2010 and beyond is difficult to predict. However, Government policies are designed to significantly reduce the demand for disposal in landfill in future.

Landfill

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent research she has commissioned into the types of material going to landfill.

Ben Bradshaw: The Environment Agency's 200203 Commercial and Industrial Waste Survey provides the most comprehensive and up to date evidence. The total of construction, industrial and hazardous waste streams in England is estimated at 67.5 million tonnes, of which about 28.5 million tonnes goes to landfill. A further breakdown is given in the following table.
	
		Landfill
		
			  Tonnes Percentage 
		
		
			 Construction and demolition 1,335 75 
			 Combustion wastes 4,163 43 
			 Common sludges 188 17 
			 Discarded equipment 70 24 
			 Food wastes 555 10 
			 Industrial sludges 417 26 
			 Metallic wastes 67 5 
			 Oils and solvents 68 9 
			 Chemical wastes 1,168 32 
			 Mineral wastes 1,564 63 
			 General industrial wastes 4,766 77 
			 General commercial wastes 11,609 82 
			 Non-metallic wastes 620 11 
			 Organic wastes 3 3 
			 Paints, varnishes, etc. 81 36 
			 Paper and card 902 9 
			 Sorting residues 726 53 
			 Total 28,438  
			 Average  42 
		
	
	DEFRA's annual Municipal Waste Survey provides the most comprehensive evidence on the sources, quantities and fates of municipal waste collected by local authorities in England. In 200304 local authorities collected 29.1 million tonnes of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). Of this, 25.4 million tonnes was household waste, the remainder being collected from sources such as industry, commerce, municipal parks and gardens. In total 72 per cent. (20.9 million tonnes) of MSW was disposed of in landfill.

Landfill

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her estimate is of how many tons of paper went to landfill in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Ben Bradshaw: Data are not specifically collected on the amount of paper sent to landfill. However, the Confederation of British Paper Industries estimates the amount of paper consumed in the UK and therefore likely to become waste (shown in the following table). They also estimate that 38 per cent. of paper and board are recycled. The paper materials that are not sent for recycling will be disposed of by some method, but it is not known what proportion of this is sent to landfill.
	
		Estimated consumption(14) of paper and board in the UK -- Million tonnes
		
			  Amount 
		
		
			 1999 12.8 
			 2000 12.9 
			 2001 12.6 
			 2002 12.4 
			 2003 12.5 
		
	
	(14)Consumption is defined as UK production plus imports minus exports.

Landfill

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 5 December 2005, Official Report, column930W, on landfill, if she will make an assessment of the landfill requirement arising from the consumption of bottled water; and if she will draw up a plan of action to encourage the recycling of bottles.

Ben Bradshaw: Glass and plastic bottles are already subject to recycling obligations under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997 (as amended), which require businesses that handle more than 50 tonnes of packaging a year and have a turnover greater than 2 million to recover and recycle specified tonnages of packaging waste.
	In 2004, 344,000 tonnes of plastic packaging waste was recycled, of which we estimate that about 10 per cent. or 34,500 tonnes was plastic bottles, some of which would have held water. I understand that the plastic industry expect to recycle 50,000 tonnes of plastic bottles this year. Likewise, in 2004, 1,050,000 tonnes of glass packaging waste was recycled, of which approximately 75 per cent. was glass bottles and again some would have held water. It is worth noting, however, that in 2004 only 32,000 tonnes of glass was used to bottle water. It is much more sustainable for people to drink tap water.

Landfill

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what financial penalties would be incurred by the United Kingdom in the event of non-compliance with the EU Landfill Directive; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The European Commission is not currently undertaking any infraction proceedings against the United Kingdom in relation to the Landfill Directive (1999/31/EC) as supplemented by Council Decision 2003/33/EC. In the absence of infraction proceedings, the issue of financial penalties does not arise.

Landfill

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many and what percentage of (a) closed and (b) operating landfill sites capture methane for electricity generation; what volume in total was captured in the last period for which figures are available; and what estimate she has made of savings in greenhouse gas emissions from (i) non-release of methane and (ii) displacement of fossil fuel generation, assuming all displacement came from such sources.

Ben Bradshaw: In 2004, there were in excess of 200 generating stations utilising landfill methane in the UK. The Government does not hold statistics determining whether these landfill gas utilisation plants are located on closed landfill sites or operational ones. There are about 900 of the latter. According to DTI statistics, the total installed generating capacity at landfill sites in 2004 was 722 MW. Research for Defra by Colder Associates indicates that the volume of methane captured for electricity generation was about 1,070 thousand tonnes (kT) in 2004. An estimated additional 1,307 kt methane was captured and flared at landfill sites. This means that electricity generation and flaring saved greenhouse gas emissions of about 6 million tonnes carbon equivalent (MtC equiv), and about 7.5 MtC equiv, respectively. The total saving from capture was therefore about 13.5MtC equiv. The generating plant produced about 4TWh of electricity, equivalent to saving a further 0.5 million MtC equiv due to reduced emissions at power stations.

Livestock Markets

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assistance is available from her Department for the setting up of livestock markets.

Ben Bradshaw: There are no funding schemes administered by DEFRA for the purpose of setting up of livestock markets, although DEFRA's Rural Enterprise Scheme (which in its present form ends next year) could provide assistance for the building of a livestock market as part of a farm diversification project. Details are publicly available from the Department.

Marine Environment

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is in respect of the creation of a spatial planning regime for the marine environment.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government are preparing proposals for legislation to provide a new framework for the seas, based on marine spatial planning. A consultation paper on the proposed Marine Bill be will published early in 2006.
	In 2004 DEFRA commissioned a pilot project to investigate with stakeholders a number of issues associated with the development of marine spatial planning. This is almost complete, and the final report will be available on www.abpmer.co.uk/mspp shortly.

Opinion Research/Public Relations

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the value was of (a) public opinion research and (b) public relations contracts awarded by her Department in (i) each (A) nation and (B) region of the UK and (ii)London in 200405.

Jim Knight: I refer the hon. Member to the answers given on 7 December 2005, Official Report, column 1294W and 12 December 2005, Official Report, columns 16001601W, salient details of which are given as follows.
	(a) Public opinion research
	Since 2001 Defra's Communications Directorate has commissioned the following omnibus tracking survey to measure public awareness of the Department, knowledge of its responsibilities and opinions on its performance:
	
		
			 Date Company Cost () 
		
		
			 February 2002 Taylor Nelson Sofres 42,000 
			 April 2004 Taylor Nelson Sofres 14,950 
			 October 2005 Taylor Nelson Sofres 26,000 
		
	
	Copies of all three surveys are available in the Library of the House.
	(b) Public relations
	Since 2001 Defra's Communications Directorate has commissioned the following external media relations services.
	
		
			 Date Agency Cost () Project 
		
		
			 2002 Good Relations 5,900 Sustainable Food and Farming 
			 2002 Biss Lancaster 189,366.67 Your countryside your welcome 
			 2002 Red 121,848.93 Illegal Imports 
			 2002 Country Porter Novelli 16,243 Sustainable Development 
			 2003 Forster Company 11,170 Darwin Initiative 
			 July 2004-March 2005 Media Moguls 261,558.70 Illegal Food Imports Campaign Phase 1 
			 August 2005-present Media Moguls 22,362.31 Illegal Food Imports Campaign Phase 2 
			 January 2005-May 2005 Amazon Public Relations 55,904.84 Launch of the Sustainable Development Strategy 
			 August 2005 to date Amazon Public Relations 18,750 Sustainable Development case studies 
			 October 2005 to March 2006 Weber Shandwick 60,000 Climate Change 
		
	
	All agencies provided specialist skills and services notcurrently available within Defra's Communications Directorate.
	Details of public opinion research and public relations contracts broken down by nation and regional are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportional costs.

Pensioners (Insulation Costs)

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her estimate is of the number of pensioner householders in Wakefield District who are eligible for assistance with (a) central heating insulation costs and (b) home insulation costs.

Elliot Morley: Information on the exact number of pensioner households in Wakefield District eligible for assistance from the Warm Front Scheme is not available.
	The Warm Front Scheme Manager uses a range of tools to target activities to those who may qualify for assistance from the scheme and to raise awareness of the support available.

Poultry

Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of the UK's poultry imports came from Thailand in 200405.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 15 December 2005
	Imports of poultry products from Thailand into the UK for the period 2003 to September 2005 are shown in the following table. The final row in the table shows that these represented 9.8 per cent. (by value) of total poultry imports into the UK for the period January to September 2005.
	The importation of fresh poultry meat produced on or after 1 January 2004 and cooked poultry meat which has not been heat treated to at least 70C was banned in January 2004. Poultry meat products which have been cooked to 70C or more are not considered to be a risk.
	
		
			  2003 2004 January to September 2005 
			  Tonnes 000 000 Tonnes 000 000 Tonnes 000 000 
		
		
			 Total imports 567 1,071 622 1,153 495 854 
			 Imports from Thailand 46 88 46 86 47 83 
			 Proportion of imports from Thailand 8.1% 8)2% 7.4% 7.4% 9.6% 9.8% 
		
	
	Crown Copyright
	Note:
	1.Data prepared by Trade statistics, Food Chain Analysis 3, DEFRA
	2.2005 data is subject to amendments.
	Source:
	HM Revenue and Customs.

Poultry

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many poultry owners in Northamptonshire are registered with her Department; and what the flock size is of each registered poultry owner.

Ben Bradshaw: The following spreadsheet provides all the information currently held by the State Veterinary Service.
	
		Poultry keepers in Northamptonshire
		
			 County parish holding number Number of birds 
		
		
			 29/001/0033 Not known 
			 29/001/0041 Not known 
			 29/003/0094 30 
			 29/004/0008 16 
			 29/007/0052 25 
			 29/009/0050 31 
			 29/010/0034 Not known 
			 29/011/0047 Not known 
			 29/011/0056 11 
			 29/013/0002 Not known 
			 29/016/0052 Not known 
			 29/016/0060 Not known 
			 29/017/0036 Not known 
			 29/018/0003 24 
			 29/021/0030 6 
			 29/022/0006 Not known 
			 29/022/0083 14 
			 29/022/0085 Not known 
			 29/024/0005 Not known 
			 29/028/0026 3,850 
			 29/028/0030 Not known 
			 29/030/0070 1 
			 29/030/0075 Not known 
			 29/031/0020 Not known 
			 29/033/0069 Not known 
			 29/034/0093 0 
			 29/034/0106 Not known 
			 29/034/0106 Not known 
			 29/035/0066 Not known 
			 29/037/0023 Not known 
			 29/037/0092 Not known 
			 29/042/7000 Not known 
			 29/042/7002 Not known 
			 29/042/7005 Not known 
			 29/043/0035 30 
			 29/043/0036 Not known 
			 29/043/0037 5 
			 29/045/0007 40 
			 29/045/0011 18 
			 29/046/0013 9 
			 29/046/0047 3 
			 29/048/0035 Not known 
			 29/048/0038 Not known 
			 29/049/0004 Not known 
			 29/050/0038 27,500 
			 29/050/0129 Not known 
			 29/051/0059 20 
			 29/052/0036 Not known 
			 29/054/0061 8,200 
			 29/054/0062 20 
			 29/055/0008 Not known 
			 29/055/0035 Not known 
			 29/056/0035 Not known 
			 29/057/0009 Not known 
			 29/059/0085 Not known 
			 29/059/0088 Not known 
			 29/061/0026 Not known 
			 29/062/0008 7 
			 29/062/0065 6,650 
			 29/062/0074 Not known 
			 29/062/0079 Not known 
			 29/063/0023 Not known 
			 29/064/0014 3 
			 29/064/0031 8 
			 29/064/0033 Not known 
			 29/066/0032 Not known 
			 29/070/0055 Not known 
			 29/070/0058 Not known 
			 29/076/0013 30 
			 29/077/0009 Not known 
			 29/077/0078 Not known 
			 29/077/9006 Not known 
			 29/081/0013 12 
			 29/085/0041 5 
			 29/087/0001 4 
			 29/087/0005 6,450 
			 29/087/0012 4 
			 29/087/0049 Not known 
			 29/087/0050 Not known 
			 29/088/0174 Not known 
			 29/093/0006 12 
			 29/094/0005 Not known 
			 29/097/0067 Not known 
			 29/101/0011 Not known 
			 29/108/0018 Not known 
			 29/109/0052 Not known 
			 29/109/0053 10 
			 29/110/0049 Not known 
			 29/110/0063 Not known 
			 29/113/0037 8 
			 29/113/0039 Not known 
			 29/116/0031 19 
			 29/117/0036 Not known 
			 29/117/0036 Not known 
			 29/118/7000 Not known 
			 29/119/0018 Not known 
			 29/122/9014 12 
			 29/128/0067 30 
			 29/131/0030 Not known 
			 29/134/0043 350 
			 29/142/0021 Not known 
			 29/147/0039 Not known 
			 29/148/0069 Not known 
			 29/149/0018 Not known 
			 29/149/0086 Not known 
			 29/153/0001 Not known 
			 29/153/0072 2 
			 29/154/0006 1,256 
			 29/156/0015 Not known 
			 29/156/0052 2 
			 29/156/0058 22 
			 29/160/0012 0 
			 29/162/0043 Not known 
			 29/165/9017 Not known 
			 29/170/0047 36 
			 29/172/6000 3 
			 29/173/0045 12 
			 29/175/0236 0 
			 29/175/0239 Not known 
			 29/175/0244 14 
			 29/175/6001 Not known 
			 29/177/9004 Not known 
			 29/180/0013 Not known 
			 29/184/0001 Not known 
			 29/186/0044 19 
			 29/187/0038 2,000 
			 29/187/0063 Not known 
			 29/187/9001 Not known 
			 29/188/0011 Not known 
			 29/193/0044 16,000 
			 29/193/0045 Not known 
			 29/197/0023 Not known 
			 29/202/0005 Not known 
			 29/204/0008 Not known 
			 29/205/0010 26 
			 29/205/0018 Not known 
			 29/215/0002 Not known 
			 29/215/0003 Not known 
			 29/219/0051 Not known 
			 29/220/0054 Not known 
			 29/223/0030 Not known 
			 29/225/0011 Not known 
			 29/227/0002 3,200 
			 29/229/0013 Not known 
			 29/231/0113 22 
			 29/231/0114 Not known 
			 29/233/0049 Not known 
			 29/234/0011 116 
			 29/235/0040 14 
			 29/238/0131 27 
			 29/238/0153 Not known 
			 29/241/0035 7 
			 29/242/0043 Not known 
			 29/243/0051 Not known 
			 29/243/7000 Not known 
			 29/247/0013 48 
			 29/247/0015 19 
			 29/249/0045 25 
			 Unknown 5,550 
			 29/251/0033 Not known 
			 29/251/0051 Not known 
			 29/258/0066 Not known 
			 29/259/0040 Not known 
			 29/259/0040 Not known 
			 Unknown 3,850 
			 29/259/0045 Not known 
			 29/260/0007 Not known 
			 29/261/0021 7,350 
			 29/263/0031 Not known 
			 29/263/0046 21 
			 29/264/0013 203,800 
			 29/264/9004 Not known 
			 29/265/0067 Not known 
			 29/265/0081 Not known 
			 29/268/0010 7,850 
			 29/268/0047 Not known 
			 29/270/0076 7 
			 29/272/9002 4,600 
			 29/274/0024 Not known 
			 29/274/0096 Not known 
			 29/274/0100 Not known 
			 29/274/0102 Not known 
			 29/274/0104 Not known 
			 29/274/0107 4 
			 29/276/0001 Not known 
			 29/276/0050 Not known 
			 Unknown 5,500 
			 29/279/0021 Not known 
			 29/279/9000 Not known 
			 29/284/0030 Not known 
			 29/290/0020 Not known 
			 29/290/7000 Not known 
			 29/291/0043 Not known 
			 29/293/0190 Not known 
			 29/293/0192 Not known 
			 29/293/0195 21 
			 29/293/7000 Not known 
			 29/293/8000 Not known 
			 29/293/9028 Not known 
			 Unknown 1,690 
			 29/296/0210 Not known 
			 29/297/0039 Not known 
			 29/299/0024 Not known 
			 29/299/9003 Not known 
			 29/302/0064 Not known 
			 29/307/0039 Not known 
			 29/308/6000 16,100 
			 Unknown 6

Rape Seed Oil

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much rape seed oil was produced in the UK in each of the last five years.

Jim Knight: Published annual data on the amount of crude rape seed oil produced in the UK are available up to 2003 and are presented in the following table. The rape seed crushed by UK crushers may be sourced from the UK or overseas.
	
		Amount of crude rape seed oil produced in the UK
		
			  Tonnes(15) 
		
		
			 1998 669.4 
			 1999 634.1 
			 2000 615.6 
			 2001 588.5 
			 2002 609.3 
			 2003 597.8 
		
	
	(15)DEFRA survey of oilseeds and nuts crushed in the United Kingdom and the crude vegetable oils, oilcake and meal produced
	Crude oil may be further processed or refined, to produce partly processed and refined deodorised rape seed oil. The crude rape seed oil processed by UK hardeners and refiners may be sourced from the UK or overseas. Published annual data on the output of refined deodorised rape seed oil in the UK are available up to 2003 and are presented in the following table.
	
		Output of rape seed oil produced in the UK
		
			  Tonnes(16) 
		
		
			 1998 720.6 
			 1999 762.9 
			 2000 700.7 
			 2001 627.9 
			 2002 604.5 
			 2003 546.9 
		
	
	(16)DEFRA survey of the output of refined, deodorised vegetable oils, marine oils and animal fats by United Kingdom processing plants
	This information including the historical data series is published on the DEFRA website and can be found at: http://statistics.defra.gov.uk/esg/datasets/histoils.xls

Recycling

Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to promote the separate collection and recycling of paper and other materials from small and medium-sized businesses; whether her Department has set targets for such recycling; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 12 December 2005
	The Government aim to have reduced the amount of commercial and industrial waste going to landfill to 85 per cent. of the 1998 level by 2005. The recent Environment Agency report, published this month, showed waste recovery rates were at record levels in 2004, with 53 per cent. of all business waste recycled or re-used.
	The main incentive for businesses to recycle more is economic. The landfill tax is increasing the cost of waste disposal and thus providing the waste management industry with a strong incentive to offer separate collection facilities for businesses.
	43 million from the landfill tax escalator was fed back into business via the Business Resource Efficiency and Waste (BREW) programme to fund a variety of initiatives such as Envirowise, which advises and supports businesses who want to improve their recycling performance.
	The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997 have set targets to obligated businesses for recycling paper packaging waste, peaking at 70 per cent. in 2008. To create stable and efficient markets for recycled materials such as paper, Government have established the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP). Clean source separation of paper and other recyclates is a well recognised factor in obtaining best prices.
	WRAP is currently undertaking a study aimed at finding ways to overcome the barriers currently inhibiting adequate provision of recycling services for SMEs, and to improve their capacity to recycle more waste. The study is funded by BREW. WRAP intend to deliver a series of trials to collect materials for recycling from SMEs that presently receive no recycling services. Trials are expected to continue until summer 2006 after which WRAP will produce a final feasibility study report based on their findings.

Plastic Packaging

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much plastic packaging has been (a) recovered and (b) recycled in each of the last seven years.

Ben Bradshaw: The amount of plastic packaging waste that was recovered and recycled in the last seven years was as follows:
	
		Tonnes
		
			  Recycled Energy recovery(17) 
		
		
			 1998 125,539 201,759 
			 1999 198,461 223,321 
			 2000 204,430 225,021 
			 2001 269,962 231,273 
			 2002 360,418 262,953 
			 2003 321,205 269,721 
			 2004 344,317 271,260 
		
	
	(17)Under the UK packaging regulations the amount of packaging waste recovered in the form of energy is not identified by packaging material. However, the Environment Agency estimates that about 45 per cent. of the packaging waste recovered in the form of energy was plastic packaging waste.

Plastic Packaging

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from where plastic recycling schemes are being operated; and whether her Department has assisted each scheme (a) financially and (b) through the provision of advice.

Ben Bradshaw: A recent survey commissioned by the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) showed that 73 per cent. of all UK local authorities offer some sort of plastic collection scheme. This year Defra is providing nearly 2 million under the Waste Implementation Programme to support ROTATE, WRAP'S local authority advisory service. Under ROTATE WRAP have advised several English local authorities on kerbside collection of plastics, in particular how they might add plastic to existing kerbside collection schemes. Advice has been provided to South Gloucestershire, London borough of Richmond, Telford and Wrekin, Tonbridge and Malling, Guildford, Southwark and Cheshire County along with the constituent collection authorities.

Roadside Pollution Units

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many roadside pollution monitoring units there are in each local authority in England; what pollutants they monitor; and what criteria govern their placement.

Ben Bradshaw: There are 17 roadside sites in the National Automatic Urban and Rural Network (AURN; See Table 1), monitoring mainly oxides of nitrogen and carbon monoxide. There are a large number of roadside sites run by local authorities which are not in the AURN. Data from and site information on all the national monitoring sites are available on the National Air Quality Information Archive (www.airquality.co.uk).
	Local authorities have a duty to Review and Assess air quality in their areas. This often involves monitoring of oxides of nitrogen, PM 1 0 and other pollutants at roadside locations. While DEFRA is a statutory consultee for local authority reports on air quality, monitoring results are made available to the public by local authorities. DEFRA does not log the monitoring information from these assessments. A partial survey of monitoring sites in the UK was carried out in November 2003. This estimated the total number of monitoring sites in the UK at around 6700. A large proportion of these are likely to be roadside sites.
	
		Table 1: Pollutants monitored at roadside sites in the National Automatic Urban and Rural Network (AURN)
		
			 Site name Pollutants measured Local Authority 
		
		
			 Bath Roadside Oxides of nitrogen(18), Carbon monoxide Bath and NE Somerset 
			 Brentford Roadside Oxides of nitrogen, Carbon monoxide London Borough of Hounslow 
			 Brighton Roadside Oxides of nitrogen, Carbon monoxide Brighton and Hove 
			 Bristol OM Oxides of nitrogen, Carbon monoxide Bristol City Council 
			 Bury Roadside Oxides of nitrogen, Carbon monoxide, PM 1  0 , sulphur dioxide, ozone Bury MBC 
			 Cambridge Roadside Oxides of nitrogen Cambridge City Council 
			 Exeter Roadside Oxides of nitrogen, Carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, ozone Exeter City Council 
			 Haringey Roadside Oxides of nitrogen, PM 1  0 London Borough of Haringey 
			 Hove Roadside Oxides of nitrogen, Carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide Brighton and Hove 
			 London A3 Roadside Oxides of nitrogen, Carbon monoxide, PM 1  0 Kingston Upon Thames 
			 London Bromley Oxides of nitrogen, Carbon monoxide London Borough of Bromley 
			 London Cromwell Road 2 Oxides of nitrogen, Carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide Kensington and Chelsea 
			 Norwich Forum Roadside Oxides of nitrogen Norwich City Council 
			 Oxford Centre Roadside Oxides of nitrogen, Carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide Oxford City Council 
			 Southwark Roadside Oxides of nitrogen, Carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide London Borough of Southwark 
			 Tower Hamlets Roadside Oxides of nitrogen, Carbon monoxide London Borough of Tower Hamlets 
			 Wrexham Oxides of nitrogen, Carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide Wrexham County Borough 
		
	
	(18)Oxides of nitrogen include nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 )
	The criteria for defining a site as Roadside is as follows: the site must be between 1 m from the kerb of a busy road and the back of the pavement. Sites are typically within 5 m of the road with a sampling height of 2 to 3 m.

Scrapie

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many dead sheep have been collected as a result of the national survey for scrapie.

Ben Bradshaw: So far this year, 10,505 fallen sheep aged over 18 months have been collected in the UK and submitted for testing under our national survey.

Single Farm Payment Scheme

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of Statefor Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of digital mapping in relation to single farm payments is complete.

Jim Knight: Around 95 per cent. of the digital mapping required to support claims to the 2005 Single Payment Scheme (SPS) is complete based on the area within the Rural Land Register and the estimate of the area still awaiting digitisation. A significant proportion of the area was digitised prior to the inception of the SPS, but in excess of 130,000 mapping requests to modify or increase digitised areas have been received since September 2004.

Statutory Instruments

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what training is given to (a) policy officials and (b) lawyers in her Department responsible for drafting statutory instruments; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Knight: Statutory instruments are drafted by departmental lawyers based on instructions from policy divisions. Where SIs amend primary legislation, parliamentary counsel are consulted.
	As members of the Government Legal Service (GLS), departmental lawyers receive extensive training on the preparation and drafting of statutory instruments. This consists of a combination of lectures and practical exercises run by experienced practitioners in the GLS, coupled with training given by legal advisers who advise the parliamentary scrutiny committees. In addition, senior managers in the GLS take a close interest in the quality of SIs and provide frequent feedback and on the job training to those with lead responsibility for drafting. This is an ongoing process and part of the continuing education of government legal advisers.

Sunset Clauses

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is in respect of the use of sunset clauses in legislation.

Jim Knight: The appropriateness of a sunset clause for the whole or part of any proposed legislation is considered on a case by case basis. It is also addressed when a regulatory impact assessment relating to legislation is being prepared.

Timber

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether timber produced under the Australian Forest Standard scheme meets standards set by her Department for sustainability.

Elliot Morley: In November 2004 the Government commissioned its Central Point of Expertise on Timber (CPET) to examine five forest certification schemes to determine whether they provide credible assurance of legal and sustainable timber sources as defined in the model contract condition and specification used by central Government Departments. One of the schemes assessed was the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) which sets forest management and certification requirements for national bodies, endorsed by PEFC, to adopt and apply to suit local conditions. PEFC has endorsed the Australian Forestry Standard (AFS) which means that forests and products that derive from the trees harvested in those forests that are certified as operating to the AFS can be marketed under the PEFC label.
	CPET's initial assessment of the PEFC scheme was that on paper it provided credible assurance of legal harvesting but did not provide credible assurance of sustainable timber production. PEFC was judged not to have sufficient requirements for involving all relevant interest groups in the forest standard setting and forest management auditing process. This was judged to be a system failure at the international scheme level and was not influenced by actual situations at a national level. No national body was examined and there was no assessment of actual performance on the ground. PEFC has since changed its scheme requirements and been reassessed as providing a credible system, on paper, for assuring sustainable timber production as defined in Government contracts. However, the UK Government, aware that scheme changes at the international level are meaningless if not adopted nationally, gave notice that it would check to see that national PEFC bodies had implemented changes to their published requirements. CPET plans to make such checks in January 2006.

Waste Management

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the implementation of Government policy on waste management by (a) local authorities and (b) West Sussex county council.

Ben Bradshaw: As part of the Audit Commission's role in ensuring that public money is spent economically, efficiently, and effectively on local government services, it inspects the waste and recycling services of authorities in England through the Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA). The assessment looks at refuse collection; street cleansing; education and enforcement; waste disposal; and, related services with an overall sub-score for waste management derived using best value inspection reports (where available), and performance indicator data.
	In December 2004, the Audit Commission reviewed the waste management service of West Sussex county council and gave it a score of three out of a possible four for the way it is run.

Waste Management

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of Tamworth borough council's response to new waste regulations which place a duty of care on householders for their household waste.

Ben Bradshaw: Local authorities and the Environment Agency have powers to take enforcement action for breaches of the waste duty of care. It is for local authorities to develop their own local enforcement policy positions.
	The Government are encouraging local authorities to actively promote legitimate waste disposal and to highlight the need for people to only use registered waste carriers. Local authorities are also being encouraged to investigate incidents of illegal waste disposal and to take action against offenders.

Waste Management

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many facilities burn municipal waste; and where they are located.

Ben Bradshaw: There are currently 16 municipal waste incinerators in England, located in Bermondsey, Billingham, Birmingham, Bolton, Chineham, Coventry, Dudley, Edmonton, Grimsby, Huddersfield, Marchwood, Nottingham, Portsmouth, Sheffield, Stoke and Wolverhampton.

Waste Management

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government is taking to support local authorities in Bedfordshire in developing alternative methods of waste disposal; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government continues to encourage all local authorities to move towards innovative methods of waste disposal which will reduce amounts of waste sent to landfill. In Bedfordshire all authorities have benefited from the award of approximately 2 million from the Government's National Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund to invest in extending the collection of dry recyclables and garden waste. Additionally, a total of 304,000 has been awarded to the Bedfordshire authorities in 200506 through the Waste Performance Efficiency Granta figure that will be approximately doubled for 200607 and 200708.
	Through Defra's Waste Implementation Programme and the Defra funded Waste and Resources Action Programme additional financial support and specialist advice has been taken up by the Bedfordshire authorities on strategic planning, communications and new technologies. It is pleasing to note that local authorities in Bedfordshire have taken full advantage of the Government support available to develop alternative methods of waste disposal.

Waste Management

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what additional measures the Government are taking to assist growth areas to develop alternative methods of disposing of waste; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government continues to encourage all local authorities to move towards innovative methods of waste disposal which will reduce amounts of waste sent to landfill. In last year's Spending Review the Government announced an increase in the Environmental, Protective and Cultural Services (EPCS) Formula Spending Share block of 888 million by 200708 over 200405. Over the three-year period to 200506, authorities are also benefiting from a total of 294 million invested through the Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund and its successor the Waste Performance and Efficiency Grant, will provide a further 260 million over the three years to 200708. Finally, through the private finance initiative (PFI), credits worth 355 million have been made available over the three years to 200506 as an extra source of funding, with a further 535 million available in 200607 and 200708.
	In growth areas, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister have held regional seminars to discuss how waste arising from increasing population, particularly from construction, demolition and excavation can be properly planned for to ensure that the necessary infrastructure can be developed. The ODPM are also in discussions with the Environment Agency to carry out a study to predict quantities and types of waste that are likely to arise in the Thames Gateway region and the results from this study will be applicable to other designated growth areas.

Waste Management

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what criteria are used when awarding local authorities permits for the disposal of annual amounts of biodegradable waste in landfill sites; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The allocation of landfill allowances for each Waste Disposal Authority has been made until 2020. The allocation process is based on the total waste arisings and amounts sent for disposal, recycling, composting or recovery that were reported to Defra by each local authority in the 200102 Municipal Waste Management Survey.
	Allocations for the target years (200910, 201213 and 201920) are based on applying each Waste Disposal Authority's percentage contribution to 200102 Municipal Waste Management Survey (the base year) and applying a percentage reduction of Biodegradable Municipal Waste that can be sent to landfills from England in target years. The allocation process ensures that all Waste Disposal Authorities make a contribution to England's landfill reduction targets.

Waste Management

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the facilities available in areas of major housing growth for the disposal of waste; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: It is for local authorities, through the preparation of Regional Spatial Strategies and Waste Local Plans, to assess and plan for the facilities needed to deal with the waste arising in a region/area, including the growth areas.

Waste Management

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received regarding the permissible annual amounts of biodegradable waste which can be disposed of in landfill sites by local authorities in Bedfordshire; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: A consultation on the provisional allocation of landfill allowances was held in August 2004. Bedfordshire county council responded expressing its concerns that the allocation of landfill allowances did not take into account the above-average population growth in the Bedfordshire area.
	DEFRA officials will be meeting Milton Keynes council, Northamptonshire county council, Bedfordshire county council and Buckinghamshire county council, to discuss support to authorities with above-average population growth in January 2006.

Waste Management

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment the Government makes of projected increases in population and households in Bedfordshire when determining annual amounts of biodegradable waste permitted for disposal in landfill sites by local authorities; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: A clear message from the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme consultation in 2003 was that all Waste Disposal Authorities wanted certainty in their allocations. It is our belief that basing the allocations on predictions of future population growth will not provide that certainty.

Waste Management

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether it is her policy to implement the Waste Incineration Directive in full by 28 December; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The legislation necessary to implement the Waste Incineration Directive in full was in place by 28 December 2002. I understand that applications to the regulators (the Environment Agency or the local authority, depending on the capacity of the installation) from the operators concerned for the necessary permits are in the final stages of determination with a view to completion by 28 December 2005.

Waste Management

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much public money was spent on waste management and disposal in 200405; what proportion of gross domestic product this represents; and what changes in the cost are expected by 2010.

Ben Bradshaw: In England approximately 47.5 million was spent directly by Defra and DTI in 200405.
	In addition local authority revenue expenditure on waste management amounted to some 2.2 billion. The figures for capital expenditure for 200405 are not yet available.
	Figures for English GDP are not separately published. The closest equivalent is Gross Value Added (GVA) which for 2003 (the most recent year for which figures were available) was some 815 billion.
	An analysis of future waste-related costs will take place as a part of the Waste Strategy Review and the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Waste Management

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of Gravesham council's response to new waste regulations which place a duty of care on householders for their household waste.

Ben Bradshaw: Local authorities and the Environment Agency have powers to take enforcement action for breaches of the waste duty of care. It is for local authorities to develop their own local enforcement policy positions.
	Local authorities, including Gravesham, have been actively encouraging residents to use registered waste carriers, as well as following up and investigating illegal waste disposal.

Yoghurt

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with her EU counterparts on the EU proposals relating to the classification of yoghurt.

Caroline Flint: I have been asked to reply.
	I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that in 2003 there was some initial interest at European level in setting European Commission standards for the composition and labelling of yogurt. However, no formal proposals for legislation have been made by the European Commission and there has been no further progress on this initiative since then.

PRIME MINISTER

Catering Facilities

David Amess: To ask the Prime Minister what the cost was of (a) the in-house canteen and (b) other catering services provided by his Office in 2004.

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Prime Minister what the total value is of (a) catering and (b) entertainment contracts let by his Office; and what value of such contracts has been let in each nation and region of the UK, including London.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Members to the answer given by my noble Friend Lord Bassam of Brighton to the noble Lord Hanningfield on 21 July 2005, Official Report, column WA261. In addition, the cost of other catering services provided by my office in 200405 was 48,680. This includes associated overheads, including staffing. Beverages and light refreshments were provided for a broad spectrum of official events, including: Cabinet meetings, meetings with foreign Governments, and a wide range of external guests and visitors from the UK and overseas.
	The in-house cafe in my office is self-financing.

Communications Interception

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister whether it is his policy that no authorisation will be given for the interception of communications in respect of (a) hon. Members and (b) Members of the House of Lords; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement I made on 15 December 2005, Official Report, column 173WS.

Congressional Medal of Honor

David Amess: To ask the Prime Minister when he expects to collect his Congressional Medal of Honor.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Louth and Horncastle (Sir Peter Tapsell) at Prime Minister's Questions on 14 December 2005, Official Report, columns 130102.

Harlow North Sustainability Symposia

Mark Prisk: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the representatives of his Office who attended the Harlow North Sustainability Symposia on 6 June.

Tony Blair: As far as I am aware no one from my Office attended the Harlow North Sustainability Symposia on 6 June.

Ministerial Visit

Greg Hands: To ask the Prime Minister if he will accompany the hon. Member for Hammersmith and Fulham on a visit to that constituency via the London Underground to observe changes in the levels of overcrowding since his last tube journey in 2000.

Tony Blair: I have no current plans to do so.
	The London Underground is the responsibility of Transport for London. Transport for London provides regular performance reports on the London Underground. These are available on their website (www.tfl.gov.uk).

Public Appointments

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the former hon. Members who left Parliament in 2005 who have since been appointed to public bodies by his Office, broken down by party; and who was responsible for making each appointment.

Tony Blair: None. As Prime Minister I have responsibility for appointments to a number of public bodies sponsored by Government Departments. Details of former hon. Members who have been appointed to such positions have been addressed in each Department's response to the hon. Member.

Secondments

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Prime Minister how many secondees there have been to his Office from consultancy firms, including the Big Four accountancy firms, in each of the last three years; and what areas of the Department they have worked in.

Tony Blair: For these purposes my office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I have therefore asked my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Murphy) to reply. A copy of the reply will be placed in the Library of the House.

Spy Ring (Stormont)

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  when he was consulted about the decision to discontinue the case against those charged with running a spy ring at Stormont in 2002;
	(2)  what representations he has received on those charged with running a spy ring at Stormont in 2002 prior to the announcement of the case's discontinuance being made.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave at Prime Minister's Questions on 14 December 2005.

Taxis

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Prime Minister how much has been spent by his Office on taxi travel in the 200506 financial year; and what proportion of such travel was undertaken in each nation and region of the UK, including London.

Tony Blair: For these purposes my Office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the letter from my right hon. Friend the then Duchy of Lancaster (John Hutton) to the hon. Member for Monmouth (David T.C. Davies), a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. Figures for financial year 200506 are not yet available.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Academies

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average time taken by herDepartment has been between receipt of a formal expression of interest for an academy and a decision being taken.

Jacqui Smith: The average time taken from final expression of interest to ministerial decision is about two months, subject to internal procedures.

Academies

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on what date she received from Southwark council the expression of interest for a federated academy in East Dulwich; when she expects to make a decision on this; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The expression of interest was received on 8 July 2005. We are currently considering the proposals and hope to make a decision shortly.

Academies

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions have taken place between the city of Newcastle upon Tyne, the local Learning and Skills Council and Newcastle college about a second city academy in Newcastle for the 11 to 16 years age group.

Jacqui Smith: Discussions between Newcastle council, the local LSC and Newcastle college are a matter for them and I am not party to that information.

Academies

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on what (a) research and (b) exemplar the proposals to create (i) academy and (ii)trust schools were based; and what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of such schools.

Jacqui Smith: The independent five-year evaluation of the Academies Programme undertaken by PricewaterhouseCoopers shows that academies are overwhelmingly popular with both parents and pupils, and that academies have made a significant difference to the teaching and learning culture since the predecessor schools. The evaluation has also found clear evidence that sponsors are having a positive impact on academies by both establishing a positive vision and ethos for the new academies, and also by providing their expertise.
	Improvements in GCSE results are already in evidence, despite many pupils only having attended their academy for a few terms. Of the 14 academies open at the time of the last round of GCSE examinations, all but two showed an increase in the proportion of students achieving five grades A* to C relative to their predecessor schools, and the average annual increase in the number of students gaining five grades A* to C across all academies is 6 per cent. a year. Several academies have shown remarkable improvements in their GCSE results since opening. The City Academy in Bristol, for example, has shown an increase of 25 per cent. in the number of pupils achieving five grades A* to C in just two years. Four other academies have shown increases of greater than 20 per cent. since opening.
	The Government's proposals to establish trust schools represent an extension of the freedom to innovate to schools outside those areas currently being targeted by the academies programme. The creation of trust schools will assist in offering more and better choice and diversity in the schools system for parents and pupils. Trust schools will build on the long tradition of voluntary schools which are backed by trusts, and also on the successful experience of specialist schools and academies in working with sponsors from the voluntary, not-for-profit and private sectors. The success of specialist schools in their value-added performance is attested by research by Professor David Jesson, most recently his study: 'Educational outcomes and value added by specialist schools, 2004'.

Academies

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what criteria are used for the geographical distribution of academies; what part her Department plays in this; on what basis, and by whom, the schools to be designated as academies are chosen; whether local authorities have any veto on the establishment of an academy; and how many of the academies are in areas where a better schools building programme has been authorised.

Jacqui Smith: Academies are situated in areas of deprivation and/or educational need. The main criteria for consideration of an Academy is for it to be sited in an area of historically weak educational performance and that the local authority area concerned is listed in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister statistics on deprivation. Other factors such as poor ratings by OFSTED and low admission numbers for predecessor schools are sometimes considered, but it is the academic under-achievement and deprivation that are of primary importance. Some Academies are being established in areas not considered as deprived overall but with particular enclaves of deprivation or low attainment.
	Local authorities have supported all Academy proposals to date through signing where appropriate the Expression of Interest (EOI) that formally establishes the project.
	DfES is responsible for: identifying potential Academy proposals; working with the responsible stakeholders to produce an EOI for establishing an Academy; assessing the viability of the proposal once an EOI has been received including consulting with stakeholders in the local area; co-ordinating the building process for the Academy, setting up the Trust that will govern the Academy; working with the Trust and the Sponsor to set up the educational vision and ethos of the school; organising for the Funding Agreement to be signed between the Secretary of State and the Trust to govern the Academy.
	All of the 27 open Academies are in areas where the Building Schools for the Future programme is running. A breakdown of which local authority is in which wave of the BSF programme can be found at http://www.bsf.gov.uk/documents/ in the document Local Authority project by wave.

Administrative Savings

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what administrative savings have been made by her Department in each of the last eight years.

Bill Rammell: I refer the right hon. Member to the information on gross and net controlled administration costs underspends for Whitehall Departments which is published in the Public Expenditure Outturn White Papers for the relevant years. These are available in the Library of the House.
	Efficiency gains are being made as part of the Spending Review 2004 efficiency programme, as set out in the DfES Efficiency Technical Notes which are available on the Department's website.

After-school Care (Disabled Children)

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much funding was allocated to the provision of after-school care for children with disabilities in (a) Staffordshire and (b) Tamworth constituency in each year since 1997; and what future funding has been allocated.

Maria Eagle: We are making funding available to all local authorities and schools up to 2008 to support them in setting up and embedding extended services in mainstream and special schools. The Government does not specify how much of this funding should be spent on disabled children. It will be for individual local authorities, in discussion with all schools in their area, to take a strategic approach to developing access to after school care through schools.
	The Extended Schools prospectus issued in June 2005 makes it clear that children with disabilities or special educational needs must be able to access all new services, and schools have a responsibility to ensure this happens. The needs of children in particular schools will vary. Schools will need to work closely with parents to ensure that services are shaped around the needs of children and the wider community.

Annual Parents Meeting

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills for what reasons her Department decided to remove the obligation on governing bodies to hold an annual parents' meeting.

Jacqui Smith: The purpose of the annual parents' meeting was to provide an opportunity for a discussion of the manner in which the school had been conducted, and of any other matters relating to the school raised by the parents. Many meetings were very poorly attended and, despite adopting various innovative strategies to improve turnout, it still proved difficult, in many schools, to generate enthusiasm for attending the meetings. The new school profile will give parents a broader and deeper understanding of what a school is doing. The removal of the requirement to hold an annual parents' meeting allows governors to manage their own relationship and communications with parents, to better reflect local circumstances, this may include choosing to hold a meeting.
	Removing the requirement to hold an annual parents'meeting also reduced the burden of legislative requirements on school governing bodies, granting greater freedom for school leadership to concentrate on continued improvements in performance.

Better Regulation Task Force

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress she has made on implementing the recommendations of the Better Regulation Task Force following its report of February 2004.

Maria Eagle: holding answer 15 December 2005
	Guidance has been given to local authorities that directors of Children's Services should have functions relating to child employment as part of their remit, as recommended by the Task Force. We are continuing to consider whether and to what extent the Task Force's other specific proposals can contribute to the key outcomes which we want to see for all children, as described in our Green Paper Every Child Matters. In doing so, we will continue to be mindful of the need not to impose unnecessary burdens on employers or local authorities.

Chronic Back Pain

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps are being taken in her Department to help civil servants with chronic back pain.

Maria Eagle: My Department takes the health and welfare of all its employees very seriously and has in place a system of ergonomic assessment and subsequent adjustments to ensure that individuals, including those with chronic back pain, get the adjustments they need to work effectively within the Department.
	Adjustments may involve adaptation to IT equipment or software, office furniture or workstation and in some cases adjustments to work objectives and working patterns may be agreed.
	My Department contracts with an occupational health provider for medical advice and occupational health advisers visit all my Department's sites on a regular basis to support managers when dealing with staff with health issues and to help identify the most effective intervention in complex workplace ergonomic issues. Staff are reminded frequently of the need for good posture and use of repetitive strain injury guard software.

Class Sizes

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research she has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the cost of reducing primary school class sizes to 20 pupils.

Jacqui Smith: We have not commissioned any research of this type.

Class Sizes

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research she has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the cost of reducing secondary school class sizes to (i) 15 and (ii) 12 pupils.

Jacqui Smith: We have not commissioned any research of this type.

Class Sizes

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average class size was in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in Oxford, East in each year since 2001.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Maintained primary and secondary schools(19); average class size of one teacher classes(20) Position as at January each year 
		
			  Maintained primary Maintained secondary 
		
		
			 2001 25.6 23.9 
			 2002 24.3 23.4 
			 2003 24.0 22.3 
			 2004 26.0 21.3 
			 2005 26.8 20.5 
		
	
	(19)Includes middle schools as deemed.
	(20)Classes taught during a single selected period in each school on the day of the Census in January.
	Source:
	Annual Schools' Census

Connexions

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of Connexions advisers have received disability awareness training.

Maria Eagle: All Connexions personal advisers are trained in using appropriate assessment frameworks for working with young people. This training includes working with young people with learning disabilities.

Connexions

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many specialist advisers for disabled people are employed by Connexions.

Maria Eagle: Connexions is a universal service and has a work force equipped to respond to the full spectrum of client needs. Some personal advisers specialise in work with young people with learning disabilities, but we do not collect data about personal advisers' individual specialisms.

Connexions

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions she has had with Connexions on their ability to meet the needs of disabled people in the provision of their services.

Maria Eagle: Government Offices are responsible for ensuring that quality and continuity of Connexions services is maintained. Government Offices agree each Connexions Partnership's plans for meeting the needs of young people in their area. This includes providing assessments relating to Section 140 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000 and assisting young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities to obtain appropriate education, employment or training. Connexions Partnerships have a duty to carry out their responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and the Department has issued guidance to assist them in meeting their obligations.

Departmental Contracts

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total value is of (a) catering and (b) entertainment contracts let by her Department; and what value of such contracts has been let in each nation and region of the United Kingdom, including London.

Bill Rammell: The Department for Education and Skills total value of (a) catering: equals an annual subsidy of 51,740 (b) entertainment contracts: equals an expenditure of 478,029 on hospitality covering internal working meetings and lunches where external visitors or staff from other sites attend.

Departmental Costs

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the (a) salary bill was and (b) administrative costs were for her Department in (i)each region and (ii) London in 200405.

Bill Rammell: The administration budgets regime overseen by the Treasury relates to Whitehall Departments only. How administration costs are controlled in the devolved Administrations is a matter for them. We do not monitor regional or central London administration costs separately.
	I refer you to the most recent Public Expenditure Outturn White Paper (Cm 6639) for provisional 200405 departmental administration costs outturn (250 million) and the DfES Departmental Report (Cm6522) which contains estimated 200405 pay bill outturn (164 million).

Departmental Estate

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much was paid by her Department in 200405 in rent for properties in (a) total, (b) each region and (c) London.

Maria Eagle: Details of how much was paid by the Department for Education and Skills in 200405 in rent for properties in (a) total, (b) each (i) region and (ii) nation of the UK and (c) London is in the following table.
	
		Rent paid by DfES in 200405 -- 
		
			 Region Property Annual rent Annual VAT Annual total 
		
		
			 London Sanctuary Buildings 8,671,221 Nil 8,671,221 
			  Caxton House 8,174,500 1,430,538 9,605,038 
			  Westminster Suite 200,000 Nil 200,000 
			  Skyline House 322,997 56,525 379,522 
			  Bolton Street 3,765,000 Nil 3,765,000 
			  200 Great Dover Street 476,400 83,377 559,777 
			  12 Grosvenor Crescent 440,000 77,000 517,000 
			 Region total  22,050,118 1,647,440 23,697,558 
			  
			 Yorkshire and the Humber Maltravers Road Sheffield 21,000 3,675 24,675 
			  Moorgate House Rotherham 124,675 Nil 124,675 
			  Acorn Business Park Grimsby 15,500 2,712 18,212 
			  Albion Wharf York 280,724 49,127 329,851 
			  Fountain Hall Bradford 75,201 13,160 88,361 
			 Region total  517,100 68,674 585,774 
			  
			 North West Bayley House Bolton 62,300 10,902 73,202 
			  Atlas House Bolton 29,000 5,075 34,075 
			 Region total  91,300 15,977 107,277 
			  
			 South East Medway Annexe Sittingbourne 121,000 21,175 142,175 
			  Manorgate House 175,000 30,625 205,625 
			  Kingston upon Thames
			 Region total  296,000 51,800 347,800 
			  
			 East of England Wesley House Luton 94,500 Nil 94,500 
			  Ipswich Skillcentre 49,360 8,638 57,998 
			  Old Market Hall Wolverton 37,500 6,562 44,062 
			 Region Total  181,360 15,200 196,560 
			 West Midlands Brandon Court Coventry 128,600 22,505 151,105 
			  The Oaks Redditch 62,250 10,894 73,144 
			  Enterprise House Wolverhampton 89,750 15,933 105,683 
			  Wolverhampton Skillcentre 204,000 35,700 239,700 
			 Region Total  484,600 85,032 569,632 
			  
			 Total for England  23,620,478 1,884,123 25,504,601

Departmental Projects

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what (a) building and (b) refurbishment projects are planned by her Department in (i) 200506 and (ii) 200607; and what the expected costs are of each project.

Maria Eagle: The Department for Education and Skills has (a) no building (b) no refurbishment projects planned in (i) 200506 and (ii) 200607.

Departmental Property

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what (a) land and (b) property her Department owns in Southend West constituency.

Maria Eagle: The Department for Education and Skills owns (a) no land and (b) no property in Southend West constituency.

Departmental Research

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research projects commissioned by her Department are being undertaken; and what the publication arrangements are in each case.

Bill Rammell: 125 DfES commissioned research projects are currently being undertaken, including projects conducted by other Government Departments and organisations to which the DfES contributes. DfES publishes findings from the research it commissions in line with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act, the aim being to do so within 12 weeks of the final project completion date as stated on our website. I have outlined the currently planned arrangements for all these projects.

Departmental Staff

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many staff are employed by her Department in each region of England; and if she will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: The figures requested are published in Civil Service Statistics. Table D covers permanent staff numbers (FTE basis) in each department and agency. Civil Service Statistics are available in the Library and at the following address on the Cabinet Office Statistics website:
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_of_the_civil_ service/statistics/civil_service_statistics/index.asp

Departmental Staff

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 30 November 2005, Official Report, column 542W, on departmental staff, how many temporary staff have been employed for each statutory time limit in each year since 2001; and how many of the posts they filled were subsequently filled by (a) temporary staff and (b) temporary staff who had been employed for the statutory time period allowed.

Maria Eagle: The numbers of temporary staff employed for a period of 12 months in the complete calendar years in question are:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2001 3 
			 2002 0 
			 2003 8 
			 2004 1 
		
	
	The number of posts subsequently filled by temporary staff within the Department and temporary staff who had been employed for the statutory time period allowed, is not collected centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Staff

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 30 November 2005, Official Report, column 542W, what the (a) lowest cost per person, (b) highest cost per person, (c) median cost per person and (d) average cost per person was of employing (i) part-time, (ii) jobshare and (iii) full-time staff; and how many people were employed in each category in each of the last three years.

Maria Eagle: The cost information for (a) the lowest cost per person, (b) the highest cost per person, (c) the median cost per person and (d) the average cost per person was of employing (i) part-time, (ii) jobshare and (iii) full-time staff could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The numbers of people employed part time and full time in each of the last three years are in the following table.
	
		Headcount
		
			 1 October Part time Full time 
		
		
			 2005 580 3,467 
			 2004 631 3,840 
			 2003 654 4,220

Departmental Staff

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many agency staff were employed by her Department in each of the last three financial years; in which part of the Department they were employed; on which projects they worked; what the cost was to the Department of employing them; and from which budget the funding came.

Maria Eagle: Statistics for temporary agency staff are recorded by days worked and the information for each of the last three financial years are detailed in the following table:
	
		
			 Calendar year Days worked 
		
		
			 2002 31,229 
			 2003 27,087 
			 2004 16,940 
		
	
	Agency staff are deployed across all directorates within the Department to meet business need.
	Information on the projects that seconded staff have worked are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	Costs to my Department for employing agency staff for the last three financial years are set out in the following table. Costs are borne from GAE budgets.
	
		
			 Financial year Agency spend () 
		
		
			 April 2002/March 2003 2,688,149.33 
			 April 2003/March 2004 1,621,232.81 
			 April 2004/March 2005 1,498,419.95

Departmental Website

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much the website www.teachernet.gov.uk has cost her Department since it was set up.

Bill Rammell: The ongoing annual cost to host the TeacherNet website (www.teachernet.gov.uk) is 360,000.
	This website is shortly to be integrated with other online services and migrated onto a new technical infrastructure which will deliver better value for money.

Disabled People

Edward Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much funding was allocated to the provision of after-school care for children with disabilities in (a) West Yorkshire, (b) the Wakefield district and (c) Normanton constituency in each year since 1997; and what future funding has been allocated.

Maria Eagle: We are making funding available to all local authorities and schools up to 2008 to support them in setting up and embedding extended services in mainstream and special schools. The Government does not specify how much of this funding should be spent on disabled children. It will be for individual local authorities, in discussion with all schools in their area, to take a strategic approach to developing access to after school care through schools.
	The Extended Schools prospectus issued in June 2005 makes it clear that children with disabilities or special educational needs must be able to access all new services, and, schools have a responsibility to ensure that this happens. The needs of children in particular schools will vary. Schools will need to work closely with parents to ensure that services are shaped around the needs of children and the wider community.

Disabled People

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on theinitial activity undertaken by her Department in response to those recommendations in the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit Report Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People where lead responsibility was assigned to all Government Departments.

Maria Eagle: The Office for Disability Issues (ODI) will report annually to the Prime Minister on cross-Government progress in implementing the Strategy Unit report, Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People. The first report is due to be published by summer 2006. A central unit in my Department is currently drawing together activities in response to the recommendations and will be liaising with the Department for Work and Pensions in drawing up thereport, which will also include an assessment of the initial activity undertaken by Government Departments to fulfil the responsibilities they have outside of the ODI remit.

Disabled People

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what mechanisms she has identified to enable local authorities to switch spending on services for families with disabled children from later intervention to early intervention; and if she will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: Early intervention is central to our policies on services for families with disabled children including the Childcare Strategy, the National Service Framework and Every Child Matters. These documents are already in the public domain.
	Through the implementation of the 10-year childcare strategy, we have prioritised services to disabled children and their families. In particular, the early support programme sets out to improve the delivery of services for disabled children aged 03 years and their families. The early support programme was developed with the full involvement of parents and professionals and has produced resource materials demonstrating multi-agency work and effective practice. The work has been piloted with 45 pathfinder authorities and the approach and principles can be adopted by every local authority.
	The National Service Framework (NSF) for Children, Young People and Maternity Services sets national standards for the first time for children's health and social care (and their interface with education) which promote high quality, child-centred services and personalised care that meets the needs of children, young people and their families. Standard one of the framework is about promoting health and well-being, identifying needs and intervening early. It is being delivered by a range of practitioners including GPs, midwives, health visitors, dentists, early years workers, school nurses and teachers working together. It addresses the needs of children from pre-conception to adulthood and integrates pre-school and school aged health promotion and assessment.
	Within the Every Child Matters agenda, a key driver for early intervention at local level is effective multi-agency work through children's trust arrangements. This includes better information sharing, enhanced coordination at the front line around the needs of the users, and the more flexible use of budgets. Supporting this transition to earlier intervention will be an important theme in the forthcoming comprehensive spending review.

Disabled People

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will adopt a key performance indicator for provision by education services of equipment services for disabled people; and if she will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: I have established mechanisms for agencies to work together to provide equipment services for disabled children through the National Service Framework, Every Child Matters and Children's Trusts. These mechanisms allow education services, local authorities and health services to work together to provide equipment services for disabled children that meet local needs. Specifying a key performance indicator that just looks at provision by education services would therefore not capture the full picture of overall provision of equipment to disabled people.

Early Retirement

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many of her Department's employees have taken early retirement in each year since 1997.

Maria Eagle: The number of employees who have taken early retirement in each financial year since 1997 are shown in the table.
	
		
			 Financial year (April to March) Number of employees 
		
		
			 199798 101 
			 199899 51 
			 19992000 50 
			 200001 61 
			 200102 84 
			 200203 57 
			 200304 28 
			 200405 325

Education Maintenance Allowance

Edward Miliband: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the cost is of the education maintenance allowance scheme in 200506; and what estimate she has made of the cost if the lower age limit were abolished.

Maria Eagle: The current budget for education maintenance allowance (EMA) payments in the financial year 200506 is 403 million. However EMA is a demand led programme which is funded through Annually Managed Expenditure by HM Treasury so final provision may be different.
	Although we are able to estimate the percentage of 1618 year olds eligible for EMA on income grounds, we do not have household income for young people under the age of 16specifically those who have completed GCSEs a year or more early. Therefore, we are unable to estimate the cost of EMA if the lower age limit was abolished.

Education Model (Sweden)

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what account she took of the Swedish education model when preparing the proposals in the White Paper Higher Standards, Better Schools for All.

Jacqui Smith: The proposals in the Schools White Paper, Higher Standards better schools for All: More Choice for Parents and Pupils are designed to meet the needs of schools In England. The proposals take into account developments since 1997, building on existing programmes such as the special schools and new approaches to leadership, federation and collaboration.
	There are significant differences between the Swedish model and the proposals for trust schools set out in the White Paper. Trust will not be able to make a profit and there will be no right to supply for promoters wishing to set up a new school.

Educational Qualifications (Coventry, South)

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of working age people in Coventry, South hold a qualification at degree level or equivalent or above.

Bill Rammell: From the 2004/05 Annual Local Labour Force Survey, the percentage of working age people in Coventry, South that hold a qualification at degree level or equivalent or above is 30.5 per cent. (18,000 people). This compares with 23.0 per cent. (734,000 people) in the West Midlands and 26.1 per cent. (7,948,000 people) in England.

Family Fund Trust

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she last reviewed the remit of the Family Fund Trust; and if she will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: Following open competition, the Department commissioned PricewaterhouseCoopers to carry out a triennial review of the Family Fund in April 2005.
	The review considered the continuing need for the Family Fund; the future role of the Family Fund following devolution; the Fund's aims, objectives and priorities; the organisational management of the Fund; the financial management of the Fund; and the relationships of the Fund to the UK funding Government Departments.
	The Department has discussed the findings of the review with the chair of trustees and chief executive of the Family Fund and with officials in the Governments of Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. The recommendations are being considered alongside recommendations in the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit report which relate to improving the life chances of disabled children.

Foster Carers (Abuse Allegations)

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance she (a) has issued and (b) plans to issue to (i) local authorities and (ii)other agencies on dealing with allegations of abuse against foster carers.

Maria Eagle: The Government takes the issue of allegations of abuse against all people working with children very seriously. Encouraging all organisations to have good systems and clear guidance in place forms a vital part of establishing safe environments for children and young people. Guidance about managing cases of allegations of abuse against all people who work with children will be set out in Chapter 4 and Appendix 4 of Working Together to Safeguard Children which we will publish early next year.
	In addition, we are currently funding the development of materials aimed at highlighting some of the specific issues around allegations against foster carers. These include an information leaflet to inform foster carers and others about the process for handling allegations, as well as training materials which are designed for use at the pre-and post-approval stages of foster carer training.

Free School Meals

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils in (a) infant, (b) primary and (c) secondary schools in Dartford constituency (i) are eligible for and (ii) receive free school meals.

Jacqui Smith: The available information is shown in the table.
	
		Maintained primary and secondary schools(21): school meal arrangements2 -- January 2005Dartford parliamentary constituency
		
			  Number on roll Number of pupils taking free school meals(23) Percentage taking free school meals Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals Percentage known to be eligible for free school meals 
		
		
			 Maintained primary 8,972 730 8.1 869 9.7 
			 Maintained secondary 7,032 332 4.7 481 6.8 
		
	
	(21)Includes middle schools as deemed.
	(22)Includes solely and dually registered pupils and boarding pupils.
	(23)Based upon school level numbers of pupils who had a free school meal on 20 January 2005.
	Source:
	Annual Schools Census

Further Education (Funding)

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many further education colleges are receiving no funding for some of their students owing to the threshold for these colleges having already been met.

Bill Rammell: My Department allocates funds for further education (FE) colleges to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) which is the planning and funding body for post-16 education and training in England. For FE the LSC distributes funds regionally and local offices allocate funds to providers based on locally agreed development plans. I can confirm that the LSC will fund these plans. This guarantee that college plans will be funded has been widely welcomed by the sector as ensuring stability and provides confidence that colleges can make commitments for the year based on assured funding levels. This guarantee means that those colleges recruiting above their agreed plans cannot expect to receive additional funding in the current year over and above the levels they have agreed with the LSC.
	Information on the number of students completing courses in the academic year is not available until after the end of that year. Consequently where colleges have delivered higher volumes in priority areas we would expect this to be reflected in their plans for the following year.

Head Teachers

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools were without a permanent head teacher for any period in the past 12 months.

Jacqui Smith: Information is not collected on the number of schools that were without a permanent head at any time in a 12 month period.

GCSEs

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the 50 schools with the lowest average GCSE scores; and which of these have received support from the London Challenge New Views programme.

Jacqui Smith: School level figures for 2005 are not available until the School and College Achievement and Attainment Tables are published in January 2006. The lowest 50 maintained mainstream schools by average uncapped point scores at GCSE and equivalent in 2004 are given in the following table. Hayes Manor (Hillingdon) and Mitcham Vale (Merton) schools have had the opportunity to benefit from the London Challenge New Views programme and are in italics in the table.
	
		Lowest 50 maintained mainstream schools by average uncapped GCSE point score(24)(5508560025) in 2004
		
			 Institution(26) Local authority Number of 15-year-old pupils in reporting school year Average uncapped point score 
		
		
			 Manchester Academy Manchester 119 125.2 
			 Thamesbridge College Reading 82 136.1 
			 Rushall Community College Walsall 105 143.1 
			 New College Leicester Leicester 342 150.4 
			 East Brighton College of Media Arts Brighton and Hove 111 151.2 
			 Montgomery School Kent 54 161.1 
			 William Sharp School Nottingham 149 164.5 
			 The College High School Birmingham 217 166.3 
			 The Ridings School Calderdale 155 167.5 
			 The River Leen School Nottingham 136 171.6 
			 Endeavour High School Kingston Upon Hull 247 173.5 
			 Withywood Community School Bristol, City of 183 176.4 
			 The Ramsgate School Kent 123 179.4 
			 Kaskenmoor School Oldham 137 180.5 
			 Elliott Durham School Nottingham 97 181.6 
			 The Gateway Community College Thurrock 238 187.0 
			 Isaac Newton School Kingston Upon Hull 125 188.1 
			 The International School and Community College, East Birmingham Birmingham 238 188.1 
			 Henry Mellish Comprehensive School Nottingham 137 188.8 
			 Sir Henry Cooper School Kingston Upon Hull 174 189.2 
			 Langleywood School Slough 138 191.7 
			 Agnes Stewart Church of England Leeds 120 192.0 
			 Campion Catholic High School Liverpool 109 192.1 
			 The Thorpe Bay School Southend-on-Sea 127 192.6 
			 Ribbleton Hall High School Lancashire 103 193.1 
			 Parklands High School Manchester 148 193.1 
			 Belle Vue Boys' School Bradford 79 193.6 
			 The Hayes Manor School Hillingdon 113 193.9 
			 Kingswood High School Kingston Upon Hull 220 194.3 
			 Halton High School Halton 172 194.9 
			 Corby Community College Northamptonshire 142 195.1 
			 Unity City Academy Middlesbrough 241 195.4 
			 Kings Norton High School Birmingham 122 195.7 
			 Mitcham Vale School Merton 211 195.9 
			 Queen's Park Technology College Blackburn with Darwen 131 197.2 
			 Birkdale High School Kirklees 98 197.7 
			 The Newark High School Nottinghamshire 128 198.7 
			 Barstable School Essex 170 199.2 
			 South Halifax High School Calderdale 86 201.6 
			 Fazakerley High School Liverpool 127 201.8 
			 City of Leeds School Leeds 70 201.9 
			 St. Benedict's College Liverpool 137 202.4 
			 Woodway Park School and Community College Coventry 114 203.1 
			 John Smeaton Community High School Leeds 276 204.3 
			 Buttershaw High School Bradford 283 205.4 
			 Fairham Community College Nottingham 129 205.7 
			 The Alfred Barrow School Cumbria 110 206.5 
			 Riverside Community College Leicester 174 207.0 
			 Central Technology College(27) Gloucestershire 92 207.6 
			 Hengrove Community Arts College(27) Bristol, City of 215 207.6 
		
	
	(24)Average uncapped point score for pupils aged 15 at the beginning of the academic year (i.e. 31 * of August).
	(25)Figures for 2004 include GCSEs and other approved qualifications.
	(26)These figures include all maintained mainstream schools published in the Achievement and Attainment Tables with 30 or more pupils.
	(27)Central Technology College and Hengrove Community Arts College had the same average points score and both are therefore included in the table.

Higher Education

Edward Miliband: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of the relevant cohort in (a) Doncaster North, (b) Yorkshire and (c) England entered higher education in each year since 1995.

Bill Rammell: The latest available figures on participation by constituency and region were published by the Higher Education Funding Council for England in January in Young Participation in England, which is available from their website at: http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/hefce/2005/05_03/ This shows participation rates for constituencies and region for the years 1997 to 2000, and these are shown in the table.
	
		Young participation rate (YPR (A)) -- Percentage
		
			  Year cohort aged 18 in: 
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 
		
		
			 Doncaster North(28) 14 15 14 13 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 25.6 24.6 25.2 25 
			 England 29.2 28.8 29.2 29.9 
		
	
	(28)Figures for constituencies are reported to the nearest whole number.
	Source:
	Higher Education Funding Council for England.
	The Department uses the higher education initial participation rate (HEIPR) to assess progress on increasing first-time participation of English students aged 1830 in higher education towards 50 per cent: the latest provisional figure for 200304 is 43 per cent. The HEIPR is not calculated at constituency level.

Higher Education

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research the Department has (a) undertaken and (b) commissioned on how to improve the stay-on rate in rural areas as part of the Aimhigher Strategy for Higher Education.

Bill Rammell: Aimhigher is subject to a full and detailed evaluation strategy, using a range of analytical techniques to assess the effectiveness of the programme. This includes surveying Aimhigher partnerships, to look at policy and practice at a local level. These partnerships are selected to be representative of Aimhigher partnerships nationally, and so include rural areas.
	So far, the evaluation has not uncovered any issues relating to the effectiveness and operation of Aimhigher in rural areas as distinct from other localities. However, the design of the Aimhigher programme, with a focus on local delivery and priority setting, would allow partnerships to tailor their range of activities to suit local needs.
	As part of the ongoing evaluation strategy, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), who jointly manage the evaluation, will be publishing two research reports in the new year which may shed some further light on this question:
	(i) Findings from four area studies, including one rural area; and
	(ii) Findings from a survey of providers, which may include comments on rural issues.

Incentive Packages

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the value is of (a) pay supplements, (b) bonuses and (c) other incentive packages that are payable in her Department on the basis of geographic location; how many people are in receipt of each payment; and what the total cost to her Department of each payment was in 200405.

Maria Eagle: My Department does not have (a) pay supplements, (b) bonuses and (c) other incentive packages that are payable on the basis of geographic location.
	Below the Senior Civil Service, it has higher pay bands for staff working in London and lower pay bands for staff working elsewhere, with pay band differentials ranging from 6 per cent. for senior staff to 23 per cent. for junior staff.

Independent Schools (Trust Status)

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether payment will be made for school buildings and assets of independent schools that wish to become trust schools; and from what source any such payments would be funded under the arrangements proposed in the Schools White Paper.

Jacqui Smith: No payment will be made for existing school buildings and assets of independent schools that wish to become trust schools. When an independent school enters the state sector the ownership of the school does not change. A trust is established under Charity Law, or the existing trust is amended, to hold the site and buildings for the purpose of the maintained school for as long as it remains open.

Media Monitoring

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much her Department has spent on media monitoring activities in each of the last eight financial years.

Maria Eagle: The following table gives spend, by year, for media monitoring activities.
	
		
			  Amount ( million) 
		
		
			 2000/01 0.2 
			 2001/02 0.1 
			 2002/03 0.2 
			 2003/04 0.2 
			 2004/05 0.2 
			 2005/06 (year to date) 0.2 
		
	
	It would only be possible to provide earlier details of expenditure on media monitoring activities, at disproportionate cost.

New Offences

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what new offences have been created by legislation introduced by her Department since May 2003; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: Three new offences have been created in legislation introduced by this Department since May 2003 and powers for the Secretary of State to create a further three in subordinate legislation have also been passed by Parliament in this period.
	Two new offences are found in the Education Act 2005, sections 109 and 111.
	Both these offences relate to unauthorised disclosure of information. The Education Act 2005 introduced provisions to allow tax and social security information to be shared for the purpose of deciding on or checking eligibility for education maintenance allowances and free school meals. Provision is then made for unauthorised disclosure of such information to be an offence.
	Four new offences are found in the Children Act 2004, sections 45 and 63.
	Section 45 of the Children Act 2004 gives the Secretary of State the power to set up through regulations a scheme for the registration of private foster carers and provides that the regulations may make provision which creates a number of offences. Section 45(3) says that regulations may provide that it is an offence for any person to knowingly make a statement which is false or misleading in a material particular in an application for registration as a private foster carer in accordance with the regulations.
	Section 45(11) provides that the regulations may make it an offence for a person registered under those regulations without reasonable excuse to contravene or otherwise fail to comply with any requirement imposed on him in the regulations.
	Section 45(12) provides that regulations may make it an offence for a person to foster a child privately while disqualified from being registered, unless certain exceptions apply.
	No regulations have yet been made under section 45.
	Section 63 of the Children Act 2004 enables the Inland Revenue to share tax credit, child benefit or guardian's allowance information (except where it relates to a person's income) with local authorities (or, in Northern Ireland, Health and Social Services Boards) for the purposes of inquiries and investigations relating to the welfare of a child; and makes it an offence for a staff member of an authority to disclose the information unless the disclosure is made: (a) in accordance with an enactment or order of court, (b) with the consent of person to whom the information relates, or (c) in a way that prevents identification of the person to whom the information relates.

Nurseries (Child Abuse)

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what procedures are in place to help nursery workers report confidentially suspected child abuse perpetrated by others working in the same place of work.

Maria Eagle: Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children are fundamental duties for maintained nursery schools and private and independent nurseries. Providers are required to comply with local child protection procedures and to have a written statement of the arrangements in place for the protection of children. The statement must state staff responsibilities for child protection and include procedures to be followed in the event of allegations being made against a member of staff or volunteer. The statement should be based on the procedures laid out in the Government booklet What to do if You're Worried a Child Is Being AbusedSummary. This booklet lays out clearly the circumstances when information about child abuse should be passed on to the relevant authorities in confidence.

Office for Disability

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether a Minister in her Department is planned to be nominated to take responsibility for liaison with the Office for Disability Issues; and if she will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: Anne McGuire, the Minister for Disabled People, has overall responsibility for the Office for Disability Issues (ODI). The Minister for Disabled People chairs a cross-government steering group which includes ministerial representatives from the Department of Health, Department for Education and Skills, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Department for Transport, and Department of Trade and Industry. The Minister in this Department nominated to take responsibility for liaison with the ODI is Lord Adonis.

Ofsted Team Inspectors

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many individuals have been removed by Ofsted from the list of team inspectors in each of the last five years; and how many were reinstated.

Jacqui Smith: This is a matter for Ofsted. HM chief inspector, David Bell wrote to my hon. Friend today, and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.
	Letter from David Bell, dated 19 December 2005
	Your recent parliamentary question has been referred to me, as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools, for reply.
	In sum, you asked how many individuals have been removed by Ofsted from the list of team inspectors in each of the last five years; and how many were reinstated.
	In connection with inspections under Section 10 of the School Inspections Act 1996, team inspectors remained in the roll as long as they satisfied the conditions of their involvement: that they were fit and proper, competent and effective, to discharge the functions of the team inspector.
	Team inspectors were also required to undertake mandatory training, as required by HMCI. Failure to complete such training resulted in team inspectors no longer being regarded as competent and effective and their removal from the roll. This explains the high 'removal' figures in 200102 and 200203 (non-completion of the mandatory training in evaluation of educational inclusion) and 200304 (non-completion of the mandatory training in the new framework for inspection).
	Former team inspectors who were removed from the role for non-completion of the mandatory training were not excluded from re-applying to become a team inspector at a later stage. To do this, re-application through Ofsted's normal recruitment programme for training and assessment in inspection skills applied.
	We do not have readily available information on the numbers of inspectors re-instated.
	
		Individuals removed by Ofsted from the list of team inspectors in each of the last five years
		
			   Year(29) Number of primary, secondary and special schools team inspectors removed from the role by Ofsted  Individuals re-instated 
		
		
			 200001 1,611 n/a 
			 200102 3,316 n/a 
			 200203 549 n/a 
			 200304 1,095 n/a 
			 200405 114 (30)1 
		
	
	n/a=No data available.
	(29)2 September to 31 August.
	(30)One team inspector was re-instated by Ofsted following a successful appeal to the DfES Appeals Tribunal against HMCI's decision to remove the team inspector from the roll in the year 200304.
	A copy of this reply has been sent to Jacqui Smith and will be placed in the library of both Houses.

Outdoor Learning

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the burden on families of the costs associated with school trips;
	(2)  pursuant to the answer of 24 October 2005, Official Report, column 147W, on outdoor learning, when she expects the recommendations of the working group set up to examine exclusion and school trips to be made public.

Jacqui Smith: On 25 November 2004, the results of 'The Cost of Schooling' survey carried out by BMRB social research on behalf of the Department were published. The survey looked at the costs associated with schooling that parents have to meet, including those related to school trips. A copy of the report is available on the Department's research website.
	When published in spring 2006, we expect the Manifesto for Education Outside the Classroom to reflect proposals made by the 10 manifesto working groups, including the group looking at exclusion and school trips.

Performance Indicators

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on progress with the consultation on new English and mathematics performance indicators on secondary school achievement and attainment tables.

Jacqui Smith: The 1419 education and skills implementation plan states that we will be publishing a supplement to the 2005 achievement and attainment tables, due to be published in January 2006, showing a range of indicators reflecting achievements in English and mathematics. The supplement will show performance against the key target measure of 5+A*-C including English and mathematics GCSEs and invite views on whether there might be additional English and mathematics indicators published in the achievement and attainment tables to supplement this key measure. Around 450 schools who are helping us pilot other tables developments will be asked for their views at conferences in the new year and a questionnaire seeking views on the indicators including English and mathematics will be available online.

Personal, Social and Health Education

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  if she will make personal social and health education a statutory subject in all primary and secondary schools in England;
	(2)  which recommendations made in the Personal, Social and Health Education in Schools: Time for Action report compiled by the Government's independent advisory groups on sexual health and teenage pregnancy she plans to implement;
	(3)  if she will ensure that sex education is taught as a compulsory subject in all faith-affiliated primary and secondary schools.

Jacqui Smith: There are no plans to make Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) statutory. The Government's focus is on improving the quality of PSHE teaching. Over the last three years we have funded the PSHE certificate, a continuing professional development programme which sets standards for the teaching of PSHE. Over 2,000 teachers have already gained certification and a further 1,800 teachers are undertaking the programme this year. We have also worked with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority to produce new teaching and learning materials and assessment guidance for PSHE. We have also produced a DVD resource for teachers, PSHE into Practice, which will support teachers' professional development in PSHE.
	The Government normally responds to the annual report of the Independent Advisory Group on Teenage Pregnancy, which comments on and makes recommendations for the further development of the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy. The yet unpublished report 'Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) in schools: Time for Action' is a separate, ad-hoc report. When it is published the Government will consider its recommendations, but does not intend to publish a formal response.
	All maintained schools, including those with a religious designation, are required to deliver the statutory elements of sex education, as set out in the National Curriculum Science Order, at primary and secondary levels. The DfES further recommends that all maintained schools use the PSHE framework to expand their provision and deliver a planned programme of SRE appropriate to the age, maturity and needs of pupils. This should be developed in consultation with the Governing Body and parents.

Primary Education (Gloucestershire)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent discussions she has had with Gloucestershire local education authority (LEA) on its reorganisation of primary education; and what guidance she is offering the LEA on proposals to close schools, with particular reference to small rural primary schools.

Jacqui Smith: The Secretary of State has had no recent discussions with Gloucestershire LEA on its reorganisation of primary education. Changes to school provision in an area are essentially matters for local decision. All local authorities have a statutory duty to ensure that there are sufficient places and that high quality education is provided in a cost effective way.
	The Secretary of State has provided statutory guidance on the process that must be adhered to when considering any reorganisation of school provision. We recognise the importance of rural schools to their local area which is why we introduced the presumption against their closure in 1998. Although this does not mean that no rural school will ever close, the case for closure needs to be strong and clearly in the best interests of education in the local area.

Primary School Exclusions (South Norfolk)

Richard Bacon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children were excluded from South Norfolk primary schools for not being ready to learn in each month since January 2001.

Jacqui Smith: The requested information is not collected centrally.

Private Members' Bills

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list those Private Members' Billsintroduced under (a) Standing Order No. 14(6), (b) Standing Order No. 23 and (c) Standing Order No.57 which were (i) supported and (ii) opposed by her Department in each session since 199798.

Maria Eagle: The information requested is not collected.

Public Relations

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the value was of (a) public opinion research and (b) public relations contracts awarded by her Department in (i) each (A) nation and (B) region of the UK and (ii) London in 200405.

Bill Rammell: In 200405 the Department for Education and Skills commissioned public opinion research worth 65,521. This research was on education and skills issues and formed part of the British Social Attitudes Survey, covering Scotland, Wales and all English regions (including London).
	The Department also carries out a range of research to inform the development and evaluation of specific policies, some of which includes surveys of opinion. The Department publishes its research on the last Thursday of each month and research reports are available at www.dfes.gov.uk/research. The Department also awarded public relations contracts worth 695,324. The contracts covered campaigns to promote higher education (the Aimhigher campaign) and Foundation Degrees, as well as campaigns to tackle bullying and teenage pregnancy. These campaigns covered England (including London).

Qualifications

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of working age people in (a) Kettering constituency and (b) England hold a qualification at (i) degree level or equivalent and (ii) above degree level.

Bill Rammell: The following table shows analysis of the qualification levels of the working age population in Kettering constituency and England at degree level (level4) and above degree level (level 5). This is presented alongside East Midlands data for comparison. Data comes from the Local Labour Force Survey for 200405.
	
		Table 1: Proportion of the working age population holding a level 4/level 5 qualification, as their highest qualification held
		
			  Level 4 Level 5 
		
		
			 Kettering 16.0 4.0 
			 East Midlands 19.3 4.2 
			 England 20.8 5.3 
		
	
	Note:
	The working age population is defined as males and females aged 1664 and 1659 respectively.
	Source:
	Local Labour Force Survey for 200405

Rates

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much was paid by her Department in rates to each local authority in 200405; and how much was paid in (a) each region and (b) London in each year.

Bill Rammell: The following table lists how much was paid by the Department for Education and Skills in rates to each local authority in the UK in 200405; and paid in (a) each (i) nation and (ii) region of the UK and (b) London.
	
		Rates paid by DfES in 200405 -- 
		
			 GO Region Local authority Amount Totals 
		
		
			 London City of Westminster 4,279,327  
			  London borough of Southwark 8,119  
			 London region   4,287,446 
			 
			 North East Darlington borough council 198,008  
			 N. E. region   198,008 
			 
			 North West Halton borough council 356,208  
			 N.W. region   356,208 
			 
			 East of England Luton borough council 10,260  
			  Peterborough city council 4,694  
			 E.E. region   14,954 
			 
			 Yorks and Humber Rotherham MBC 24,919  
			  Sheffield city council 825,679  
			 Y and H region   850,598 
			 Total   5,707,214

Religious Services

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the statutory requirements are for schools to hold a daily religious service; and whether she plans to seek to amend the provisions.

Jacqui Smith: The current policy regarding collective worship is set out in the Department for Education and Skills circular 1/94. All registered pupils attending a maintained school, primary or secondary, should take part in a daily act of collective worship. This act of collective worship should be wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character.

School Admissions

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many hon. Members responded to the consultation on revisions to the school admissions code of practice; and whether their views were incorporated into the summary of consultation responses published on 13 December.

Jacqui Smith: Two MPs, including my hon. Friend, responded to the consultation on the draft School Admissions Code of Practice and their views were taken into account. Their responses were included in the summary of responses.

School Choice

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of whether school choice requires over-provision of school places.

Jacqui Smith: Local authorities are responsible for planning school places in their areas. They have a duty to ensure that there are sufficient places to meet the needs of the local community and must also ensure that high quality education is provided in a cost-effective way. We expect authorities to take parental preferences into account in the planning process and, in providing for parental choice, we recognise that they will need to maintain some surplus places. The Audit Commission acknowledged this in their update to Trading Places published in January 2002.

School Governors

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many vacancies there were for (a) parent governors and (b) school governors in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: Data on the number of governor vacancies are not routinely collected by the Department. However, individual local authorities may collect and hold their own information on the number of governor vacancies.

School Governors

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment her Department has made of the causes of variations (a) between regions and (b) within regions in vacancies for school governors.

Jacqui Smith: Data on the number of governor vacancies are not routinely collected by the Department. However, individual local authorities may collect and hold their own information on the number of governor vacancies. No assessment has been made of the causes of the regional variation and variations between areas in vacancies for school governors.

School Meals

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether school meals in each local education authority are (a) produced in-house, (b) outsourced and (c) outsourced but being brought back in-house; and, in respect of those being brought back in-house, by what date she expects this to be done.

Jacqui Smith: The Department for Education and Skills has not until now collected information about school meals arrangements in local authorities. We have however recently undertaken an audit of local school meals arrangements and my officials are currently analysing the data we have received from the 102 authorities that responded. The results of the survey will be available in January and will provide us with a fuller picture of school meals provision in those authorities, including which school dinners are produced in-house and which are outsourced. We will not however have information on which school dinners are outsourced but being brought back in-house, nor when this will happen, as this information was not collected in the survey.

School Meals

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the schools in the Stroud constituency which (a) have and (b) do not have their own kitchens, broken down by type of school.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 15 December 2005
	The school premises data that my Department receives from authorities identify numbers of kitchen/dining spaces in each school that are considered by authorities and schools to be lacking or unsuitable, but kitchens are not separately identified.

School Meals

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the schools in Kettering constituency which (a) have and (b) do not have their own kitchens, broken down by type of school; and how many pupils attend each school.

Jacqui Smith: The school premises data that my Department receives from authorities identify numbers of kitchen/dining spaces in each school that are considered by authorities and schools to be lacking or unsuitable, but kitchens are not separately identified.

School Science

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps are being taken to encourage more pupils to study (a) physics, (b) chemistry and (c) mathematics at A level.

Jacqui Smith: The Government's recent 1419 Education and Skills White Paper reaffirms our commitment, as outlined in the 10-year Science and Innovation Investment Framework and our response to Professor Smith's inquiry into post-14 mathematics education, to encourage more young people to study physics, chemistry and mathematics at A level. We are taking this forward by improving teaching and learning across all school phases by:
	introducing a newly structured A level, for first teaching from September 2004, making AS/A level mathematics more flexible and manageable;
	introducing a new programme of study for science at key stage4, leading to new GCSEs. The new programme maintains the breadth, depth and challenge of the current curriculum, while catering for a wide range of young people's interests and aptitudes which will ensure that the science taught in schools inspires young people to pursue further study;
	developing a new two tier mathematics GCSE so that all young people have the opportunity to achieve a grade C;
	asking QCA to develop and test a new curriculum and assessment model for mathematics from entry level to level 3 which will incorporate changes resulting from work that QCA has been doing in response to recommendations in the Smith report;
	renewing and updating the Primary National Strategy framework for the teaching of mathematics, to ensure that it supports schools and settings to raise attainment still further;
	reviewing science and mathematics at key stage 3, especially in relation to the new science programme at key stage 4 and the review of the Primary National Strategy;
	providing innovative and exciting continuing professional development for teachers and technicians through the national network of science learning centres;
	establishing a National Centre for Excellence in the teaching of mathematics, that will develop a continuing professional development framework for mathematics teachers and quality assure mathematics continuing professional development programmes;
	introducing, from September 2004, a framework for the teaching and learning of mathematics in post-16 education;
	agreeing to the expansion of the Mathematics in Education and Industry project with a view to establishing a network of centres to improve take-up and teaching of GCE further mathematics;
	improving teacher recruitment in science and mathematics by increasing the value of the teacher training bursaries for science and mathematics graduates and 'golden hellos' for new science and mathematics teachers;
	piloting courses designed to enhance subject knowledge of those who wish to do initial teacher training in physics, chemistry or mathematics but who do not have the necessary subject knowledge.

School Sports

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she is taking to encourage children to participate in sport in schools; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The Department for Education and Skills and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport are jointly implementing the national school sport strategy in England. In the five years to 2008 over 1.5billion is being invested (including 686 million lottery funding) to implement the strategy. Spearheading action is the creation of a national network of sports colleges and school sport partnerships across England. To date, 80 per cent. of schools in England are already part of one of the 411 live partnerships and all schools will be within one by 2006.
	The strategy is delivering an ambitious public service agreement target to increase the percentage of 5 to 16-year-olds who spend a minimum of two hours a week on high quality PE and school sport within and beyond the curriculum to 75 per cent. by 2006 and then 85 per cent. by 2008. The long-term ambition, by 2010, is to offer all children at least four hours of sport every week.
	Good progress is being made and we are on track to deliver the target. The 2004/05 school sport survey results found that overall, 69 per cent. of pupils in the 11,498 schools involved, were participating in at least two hours of high quality PE and school sport a week. In 2003/04 this figure was 62 per cent.
	Of course my hon. Friend would know that the issue of PE and sport in schools in Wales is a devolved matter.

Schools (Energy Provision)

Peter Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools are fitted with (a) solar panels, (b) photovoltaic roof tiles, (c) micro combined heat and power and (d) micro generation technologies.

Jacqui Smith: My Department does not hold data onnumbers of schools with solar panels, photovoltaic roof tiles, micro combined heat and power, or micro-generation technologies. 184 schools have been helped from the microgeneration funding programmes administered by the Department of Trade and Industry. In supporting the expansion of the microgeneration sector, the Government place particular emphasis on renewable energy technology in school buildings.

Schools (Gravesham)

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what funding is planned to be made available to schools in Gravesham for anti-bullying campaigns.

Jacqui Smith: Funding for anti-bullying campaigns is not made available on either a local authority or school by school basis. Rather it is a matter for local authorities to decide how they distribute funds to schools through their locally agreed formulae.
	Support for anti-bullying work is embedded in the behaviour and attendance strands of the National Strategies which have at least one consultant in place in each local authority. In addition support is also provided through DfES funded Anti-Bullying Alliance coordinators in each Government Office region.
	At a national level the Department has funded a number of initiatives to tackle bullying. Since 1997 this has included events to disseminate good practice, plus development of guidance and resources for schools. We have supported an award scheme to share and celebrate the excellent work of schools and young people. We have funded the voluntary sector to embed effective practice and offer training and support to schools, young people and their parents. We have run public information campaigns encouraging children to 'tell someone' and to support their friends as well as recently launching two new DVD resources during this year's Anti-Bullying Week.

Schools (Gravesham)

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of whether the funding increase for schools in Gravesham will ensure that all the schools will be able to fulfil the planning, preparation and assessment initiative.

Jacqui Smith: We estimate that the full year costs of implementing the final phase of workforce reform fromSeptember 2005, including guaranteed time for planning, preparation and assessment for all teachers, will create an average pressure of 0.7 per cent. on the budgets of nursery and primary schools for 200607, on top of the 1 per cent. we allowed for in 200506. We have added that to our estimate of the universal, average cost pressures on schools in 200607 to give nursery and primary schools a guaranteed minimum increase in their core budgets of 4 per cent. per pupil next year. And we have earmarked 70 million within the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) to enable local authorities to meet the cost of the higher guarantee for nursery and primary schools. This funding will be consolidated into the DSG baseline for 200708.

Schools (Parental Involvement)

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what evidence her Department has evaluated on whether parents wish to play a more active role in (a) establishing new schools and (b) attending parents' councils.

Jacqui Smith: We have received several inquiries from parents interested in setting up new maintained schools. Four parent groups have published proposals to establish new schools of which two have been successful.
	A survey of parental involvement published last year showed that 72 per cent. of parents say they want to be more involved in their child's education but only 48 per cent. feel that the school makes it easy to get involved. The current vacancy rate for parent governors is around 10 per cent.parents want to be more involved, but do not come forward to volunteer as parent governors.
	Parent councils will be more accessible: they will be less formal, a lesser commitment and parents will be able to focus discussion on areas they are interested in. We funded a small-scale pilot project to look at experience and develop some good practicethe evaluation showed that the parent councils engaged parents who would not have had the confidence to raise concerns on their own or to be parent governors, that parents had views and ideas to share, and that schools and parents were keen to continue and embed the project.

Schools White Paper

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what duties (a) community schools, (b) trust schools, (c) special schools, (d) city academies, (e) pupil referral units, (f) federated schools and (g) foundation schools will have to admit (i) pupils with special needs with statements, (ii) pupils with special needs without statements and (iii) looked-after children under the proposals in the School White Paper.

Jacqui Smith: We have no plans in the White Paper to change schools' statutory duties in respect of the admission of mainstream or statemented pupils.
	For mainstream admissions, all maintained schools (including federated and trust schools) are required to comply with existing admissions legislation and have regard to the School Admissions Code of Practice.
	For statemented pupils, admission to maintained schools is through the school being 'named' on the child's statement. Schools will remain under a statutory duty to admit children with statements which name their school. Local authorities can also arrange admission to pupil referral units and non-maintained special and independent schools through the statement.
	Academies are required by their funding agreements to consent to being named in a child's statement. They are also required to comply with mainstream admissions law and to have regard to the School Admissions Code of Practice.
	We have also recently amended legislation to ensure that priority is given to the admission of looked after children to all maintained schools as one of the most vulnerable groups in the community. Regulations will come into force in the new year.

Schools White Paper

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether (a) pupil referral units and (b) special schools will be able to apply for truststatus under the proposals in the Schools White Paper.

Jacqui Smith: The White Paper does not propose arrangements to allow pupil referral units to become eligible to apply for trust status.
	For special schools, the White Paper acknowledges that trust status for special schools raises a number of complex issues. We will continue to work with schools and other partners to decide the best way forward.

Schools White Paper

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether (a) trust schools that were previously independent and (b) other trust schools will be permitted to become independent under the arrangements proposed in the Schools White Paper.

Jacqui Smith: The White Paper proposes no arrangements that will enable maintained schools to move from the maintained sector to the independent sector. Trust schools will be maintained schools, and as such will be subject to the same rules as other maintained schools. The 'independence' the White Paper proposals envisage relates to greater freedom of operation within the maintained sector.

Science Teaching

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers have attended (a) the regional science learning centres and (b) the National Science Learning Centre since they opened.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is not collected by DfES. One of our key performance indicators is the number of teacher training days delivered by the centres. Figures for 2005 will be available in January 2006.

Secondary School Places

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of demand for secondary school places in the next 10 years.

Jacqui Smith: The number of 11 to 15-year-olds in all schools in England is projected to fall from 3,255,000 in 2005 to 2,908,000 in 2015. Excluding independent schools and non-maintained special schools, the number of pupils aged 11 to 15 is projected to fall from 3,020,000 in 2005 to 2,702,000 in 2015.
	The Learning and Skills Council will fund an additional 50,000 school, college and work based learning places for 16 to 19-year-olds by 2008. Beyond 2008 numbers are expected to remain broadly constant as participation increases towards our aim of 90 per cent. of 17-year-olds by 2015 but the overall 16 to 19-year-old population falls. The exact number of places in secondary schools will depend on the choice of institution made by young people.

Secondments

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many seconded staff were transferred into her Department in each of the last three financial years; in which part of the Department they were employed; on which projects they worked; what the cost to the Department was of employing them; and from which budget the funding came.

Maria Eagle: Statistics for seconded staff in each of the last three financial years are detailed in the following table:
	
		
			 Financial year Number of inward secondees 
		
		
			 2002/03 73 
			 2003/04 85 
			 2004/05 94 
		
	
	Seconded staff are deployed across all directorates within the Department to meet business needs.
	Information on the projects that seconded staff have worked are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Costs are borne from both running and programme budgets.

Sector Skills Bodies

John Penrose: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 8 November 2005, Official Report, column 452W, on the Learning and Skills Council, what proportion of the 40 million savings announced in the Learning and Skills Council press release of 16 September will be redirected to learners in (a) 200506, (b) 200607 and (c) 200708.

Bill Rammell: The LSC is currently consulting on the detail of it's restructuring exercise which will result in savings in administration costs. I expect that these savings will start to become available from 200708. Once the consultation is completed my Department and the LSC will agree where these savings should be directed to meet our priorities and a full profile for the release of savings.

Sixth Forms

Edward Miliband: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children under 16 years of age entered sixth form in the last year for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: In January 2005 there were approximately 780 pupils aged under 16 in school sixth forms 1 , that is in National Curriculum Year Group 12,13 or 14; the corresponding figure for January 2004 was 830.
	Young people under 16 years of age might also be enrolled elsewhere in the Further Education (FE) sector. It is not possible to state which are enrolled in school sixth forms, recorded on the Pupil Level Annual School Census (PLASC), and which are also enrolled in other FE recorded separately on the Individual Learner Record (ILR). It is likely that the vast majority of learners aged under 16 recorded on the ILR attend colleges in addition to school rather than instead of school.
	The ILR for 2003/04 shows 76,200 academic age 14 or 15-year-olds in FE, of which 60,200 enrolled with General Colleges of Further Education (GFEC); 3,000 in Special Colleges for Agriculture and Horticulture; and 1,500 in Sixth Form Colleges (SFC).
	1 Schools are defined as having a sixth form if there is one or more pupils in National Curriculum Year Groups 12, 13 or 14

Surplus School Places

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether her Department has plans to fund surplus school places under the proposals in the Schools White Paper.

Jacqui Smith: Local authorities are responsible for planning school places in their area. They have a duty to ensure that there are sufficient places to meet the needs of the local community and must also ensure that high quality education is provided in a cost-effective way.
	Where schools expand or new schools are created to meet parental demand we expect local authorities to act decisively to remove surplus places in schools which are not popular with parents and to ensure educational resources are used in the most efficient way possible. This year, we are allocating over 5.5 billion of capital funding to schools and authorities. This funding can support local school reorganisation, including those directed to the removal of surplus places.
	Building Schools for the Future aims to renew all secondary schools over 15 waves of investment starting from this year. When authorities are prioritised in this programme, they must develop a strong strategic vision for the delivery of secondary education in their area. Additional funding for primary schools has been announced from 200809. Further details of this programme will be announced next year.

Trust Schools

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills in what way the financial arrangements for a trust school will differ from those in place for foundation schools.

Jacqui Smith: Trust schools will be funded on exactly the same basis as other maintained schools, including foundation schools. They will receive multi-year revenue budgets from their local authority under the new school funding arrangements we are introducing from April 2006. They will receive direct capital funding on the national formula and have access to the substantial funding allocated to their authority and through the Building Schools for the Future programme.
	Trust schools will also be subject to the same financial controls, including audit arrangements, as apply currently to maintained schools, through each local authority's statutory Scheme for Financing Schools.

Trust Schools

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the legal duties and responsibilities of governors of trust schools will be under the proposals in the Schools White Paper.

Jacqui Smith: Under the proposals contained in the Higher Standards, Better Schools For All White Paper, the duties and responsibilities of governing bodies of trust schools will be the same as those of the governing bodies of foundation schools.
	The governing body of trust schools will, as do all governing bodies of maintained schools, have a legal duty to conduct the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement. Their responsibilities include setting the strategic direction, objectives, targets and policies for the school, approving the school budget and reviewing progress against the budget, plans and targets, acting as a critical friend to the head teacher by providing support and challenge and appointing the head teacher. Governing bodies in trust schools will also employ their staff and be their own admissions authority, this is the same as in voluntary aided and foundation schools.

University Entrants

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of pupils from (a) the Forest of Dean constituency and (b) Gloucestershire went on to university in each of the last five years.

Bill Rammell: The latest available figures on participation by constituency and region were published by the Higher Education Funding Council for England in January in Young Participation in England, which is available from their website at: http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/hefce/2005/05_03/. This shows participation rates for constituencies and region for the years 1997 to 2000, and these are shown in the table.
	
		Young participation rate (YPR(A)) -- Percentage
		
			 Year cohort aged 18 in: Forest of Dean Gloucestershire 
		
		
			 1997 33 36 
			 1998 32 34 
			 1999 28 33 
			 2000 33 35 
		
	
	Source:
	Higher Education Funding Council for England.
	The Department uses the Higher Education Initial Participation Rate (HEIPR) to assess progress on increasing first-time participation of English students aged 1830 in higher education towards 50 per cent.: the latest provisional figure for 2003/04 is 43 per cent. The HEIPR is not calculated at constituency level.

Volunteering

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she is taking to promote the involvement of young people in volunteering.

Maria Eagle: The Youth Green Paper Youth Matters sets out a number of broad areas of activity designed to encourage young people to volunteer and contribute to their community. It aims to test out more varied approaches to volunteering, in line with the Russell Commission's recommendations.
	This includes, for example, expanding peer mentoring. The Chancellor has recently announced in his pre-Budget report a new investment aimed at introducing and evaluating more structured and formalised approaches to peer mentoring in schools. We will also be promoting more active citizenship approaches in schools, further and higher education and more volunteering in public services. We are building on the experience of Millennium Volunteers and the Young Volunteer Challenge to develop more flexible approaches to volunteering and to expand longer term volunteering opportunities.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Departmental Expenditure

Michael Weir: To ask the Leader of the House how much was spent on external consultants and advisers by his Office in each year since May 1997.

Geoff Hoon: The information is as follows:
	Consultants:
	The Office of the Leader of the House of Commons employed one consultant on IT issues during August 2005 at a cost of 3,760.
	Advisers:
	The Office of the Leader of the House of Commons has not employed any external advisers since May 1997.

Departmental Expenditure

Michael Weir: To ask the Leader of the House how much was spent on advertising by his Office in each year since May 1997.

Geoff Hoon: None. The Office of the Leader of the House of Commons does not spend any money on advertising.

PR Companies

Michael Weir: To ask the Leader of the House if he will list the public relations companies that have had contracts with his Office since May 1997.

Geoff Hoon: The Office of the Leader of the House of Commons has not had any contracts with public relations companies.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Barristers

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Solicitor-General if he will list the 10 barristers instructed to advise and represent in court his and other Departments through the Department who received the highest sums in the last financial year; how much each received in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: The Attorney-General is responsible for appointment and operation of the civil panel of Junior Counsel and First Treasury Junior Counsel. Government Departments instruct barristers on the Panel Departments may instruct Panel Counsel to provide advice outside the sphere of litigation. There is no central record of this and disproportionate cost would be incurred in collating this information from all Departments.
	The 10 barristers instructed by the Inland Revenue, the then HMCE DEFRA, DWP/DH and Treasury Solicitor who were paid the highest sums in the financial year ending 31 March 2005 to conduct civil litigation on behalf of the Crown and the amounts paid are:
	
		
			  Counsel Amount paid in last financial year including VAT () 
		
		
			 Philip Sales 619,633.76 
			 David Ewart 347,578.46 
			 Jonathan Crow 287,883.78 
			 Julie Anderson 242,518.46 
			 Nicholas Moss 226,758.28 
			 Jennifer Richards 199,459.75 
			 Leigh-Ann Mulcahy 185,270.28 
			 Lisa Giovannetti 184,739.87 
			 David Barr 182,048.38 
			 Robin Tam 163,819.71 
		
	
	A number of qualifications need to be added to these figures:
	The amount paid to barristers in one financial year is not necessarily reflective of the work carried out during that year. Payment may take place during or sometime after the work and different Departments have different payment practices.
	The figures must be interpreted carefully and do not represent the personal earnings of the barristers listedfigures are inclusive of VAT and disbursements incurred. After VAT has been deducted, banisters will typically pay 2530 per cent. of fees in professional expenses. Additionally, barristers face the same expenses as any other self-employed person, including income tax and national insurance contributions.
	The Crown pays barristers at a fixed hourly rate for work payable, for example, only when hearings take place, and does not use a brief fee system.
	Not all payments could be verified with the individuals concerned. Cases in dispute, where records of payments held by the Departments differ to those held by the practitioners, have been included. Where possible, amounts have been verified by practitioners and adjusted where necessary.
	The Crown, under the Panel Counsel system, has access to some of the very best advocates, who are appointed on merit following fair and open competition and represent excellent value for money.

Crown Prosecution Service

David Amess: To ask the Solicitor-General who the director of (a) the Crown Prosecution Service, (b) the Crown Prosecution Service in Southend and (c) the Essex Crown Prosecution Service is; what relevant specialist qualifications each holds; and what the career of each has been to date.

Mike O'Brien: Ken Macdonald QC is the Head of the Crown Prosecution Service and the Director of Public Prosecutions. He is a barrister and was called to the Bar in 1978. He was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1997. He joined the CPS on 1 November 2003.
	The District Crown Prosecutor for the South East Prosecution Team in Southend is Diane Stenning. She joined the CPS as a Legal Trainee in 1991 and was admitted as a solicitor in 1993. She transferred to CPS Essex in 1998.
	The post of Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Essex is currently vacant. From 1999 until September 2005 this post was held by John Bell. He was admitted as a solicitor in 1974 and until the formation of the CPS in 1986 was employed by the Durham Police Authority. The post is currently being held on a temporary basis by Paula Abrahams. She was called to the Bar in 1987 and joined the CPS in the same year as a newly qualified lawyer.

Crown Prosecution Service

David Amess: To ask the Solicitor-General what action he takes to prevent the bringing of inappropriate (a) higher and (b) lesser charges by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Mike O'Brien: Crown prosecutors must apply the Code for Crown Prosecutors and the Director of Public Prosecution's Guidance on Charging to determine if a case proceeds and, if so, on what charge.
	Statutory Charging was brought in by the Criminal Justice Act 2003. As a result, dedicated experienced prosecutors now work with the police on cases from start to finish. They advise the police on lines of inquiry and advise on the evidence that should be gathered. In all but minor cases, the prosecutor decides the charge and will review the case continually. Fewer charges will be amended, and fewer charges will be dropped.
	Statutory Charging arrangements are being implemented in phases across the 42 Criminal Justice Areas by a joint national CPS/ACPO team. To date, 28 areas operate Statutory Charging. The remaining 14 areas are operating Shadow Charging schemes (whereby charging is operated on a non-mandatory basis, mirroring as closely as possible Statutory Charging arrangements between 9 am and 5 pm Monday to Friday). These remaining areas are scheduled to move to Statutory Charging by April 2006.

Public Interest

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Solicitor-General what criteria are used to determine matters of public interest in criminal cases.

Mike O'Brien: Normally, in any case where there is sufficient evidence to afford a reasonable prospect of conviction the public interest would require prosecution. However, in each case the prosecutor will weigh the considerations in favour of prosecution against those that considerations against prosecution. The Code for Prosecutors published by the Public Prosecution Service, and which is available on their website at www.ppsni.gov.uk and copies of which are kept in the Library, set out examples of what those considerations may be. The list is not exhaustive.

Public Interest

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Solicitor-General how many cases since 1997 have been discontinued in Northern Ireland on the basis of the public interest; and what the charges were in each case.

Mike O'Brien: This information was not kept by the Department of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland and could be compiled only at disproportionate cost by the individual examination of all files discontinued since 1997. This information has started to be kept by the Public Prosecution Service. The only figures currently available are for the areas of Fermanagh and Tyrone and for Greater Belfast and are for the period 1 April to 30 September 2005. Prosecution decisions in respect of 7,327 individuals were taken over that period. Of that number 1,510 resulted in decisions of no prosecution and, of that number, 164 (10.9 per cent.) were made on grounds of public interest. This represents 2.2 per cent. of the total number of individuals dealt with.
	Details of each case could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Public Interest

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Solicitor-General how many cases have been discontinued on grounds of the public interest in England and Wales in each year since 1997; and what the charges were in each case.

Mike O'Brien: Figures on the reasons for discontinuance, including the number dropped on the grounds of the public interest, are available only with effect from April 2004. The following table shows this information for 200405, and for 200506 up until 15 December 2005.
	The Crown Prosecution Service does not hold records of the outcome of each individual charge. However, a record is maintained of the principal offence with which each defendant was charged, divided into 12 categories. The table also shows discontinuances on public interest grounds in each of these 12 groupings.
	The table both shows the volume of these outcomes, and expresses them as a proportion of all completed cases during the two years.
	
		Discontinuance in magistrates' courts and crown court on the grounds of public interestBy principal offence category
		
			  Number Percentage 
		
		
			 200405   
			 A. Homicide 7 0.0 
			 B. Offences Against The Person 1,476 0.1 
			 C. Sexual Offences 141 0.0 
			 D. Burglary 336 0.0 
			 E. Robbery 87 0.0 
			 F. Theft And Handling 1,949 0.2 
			 G. Fraud And Forgery 102 0.0 
			 H. Criminal Damage 1,038 0.1 
			 1. Drugs Offences 442 0.0 
			 J. Public Order Offences 1,502 0.1 
			 K. All Other Offences (excluding Motoring) 1,076 0.1 
			 L. Motoring Offences 3,726 0.3 
			 Total 11,882 1 .0 
			
			 200506 (to 15 December 2005)   
			 A Homicide 8 0.0 
			 B. Offences Against The Person 2,528 0.3 
			 C. Sexual Offences 212 0.0 
			 D. Burglary 469 0.1 
			 E. Robbery 76 0.0 
			 F. Theft And Handling 2,950 0.4 
			 G. Fraud And Forgery 149 0.0 
			 H. Criminal Damage 1,573 0.2 
			 I. Drugs Offences 564 0.1 
			 J. Public Order Offences 2,553 0.3 
			 K. All Other Offences (excluding Motoring) 1,626 0.2 
			 L. Motoring Offences 5,409 0.7 
			 Total 18,117 2.2

Spy Ring (Stormont)

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Solicitor-General if the Government of the Irish Republic was (a) consulted and (b) informed of the decision to withdraw the prosecution of those charged with running a spy ring at Stormont in 2002.

Mike O'Brien: There was no consultation with the Irish Government in respect of the decision to end this prosecution. They were informed the day of the hearing at which the charges were withdrawn.

Spy Ring (Stormont)

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Solicitor-General on how many occasions (a) the Director of Public Prosecutions and (b) the Senior Crown Counsel discussed with the Attorney-General the prosecution of the case against those charged with running a spy ring at Stormont in 2002.

Mike O'Brien: In the exercise of his statutory duty of superintendence, the Attorney-General is kept informed by the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland of significant cases through correspondence, meetings and by telephone, both direct and through officials. Information on the exact number of times this case was raised is not available.
	The Attorney-General did not discuss this matter directly with the Senior Counsel instructed to prosecute this case although he had sight of counsel's advice as part of the papers provided to him by the Director.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Appeals Service

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the national targets are for the Appeals Service; and what the performance of relevant offices in South Devon has been against those targets.

Anne McGuire: This is a matter for Christina Townsend, Chief Executive of the Appeals Service. She will reply to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Christina Townsend, dated 19 December 2005
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question what the national targets are for the Appeals Service; and what the performance of relevant offices in South Devon has been against those targets.
	The information you have asked for is not available in the format requested, as the Appeals Service does not have specific appeals processing offices in the South Devon area but instead have eight Regional processing centres across the country. Our Cardiff office, which handle appeals for the whole Wales and South West Region, administers appeals for the South Devon area.
	Each year, the Secretary of State sets targets for the overall performance of the Appeals Service. These targets are shown in the table below together specifically with our Cardiff office's performance against those targets for 200405.
	
		
			 Appeals Service Secretary of State target for 200405 Cardiff Appeals Processing Office performance 
		
		
			 The number of cases over 24 weeks old as at 1 April 2004 will be reduced by at least 15 per cent. by 31 March 2005 A 25 per cent. reduction in older cases was achieved 
			   
			 For cases returned by the Commissioner, the average waiting time for an appeal to be re-heard will be no more than 8 weeks from the date of return to the Appeals Service(31) 6.5 weeks 
			   
			 The average waiting time for an appeal to be heard will be no more than 11 weeks from the time of receipt by the Appeals Service(32) 11.3 weeks 
		
	
	(31)Excludes cases requiring further evidence.
	(32)Excludes stayed cases awaiting decision in lead cases in a higher court (the effective date will commence from withdrawal of stay being notified).
	I hope this reply is helpful.

Asbestos

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the terms of reference were for the research carried out by the Health and Safety Executive in relation to the risks of exposure to asbestos when removing textured coatings; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: The aim of study HSL/2005/32 An investigation into the airborne fibre releases during the removal of textured coatings from domestic premises, commissioned by the Health and Safety Executive from the Health and Safety Laboratory, was to measure the airborne fibre and asbestos concentrations released during the removal and repair of damaged chrysotile containing textured coatings, at some 40 sites.

Asbestos

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will ask the Health and Safety Executive to carry out further tests on the proposed new methods of work when undertaking the removal of textured coatings to assess the risk of exposure to asbestos before taking a decision on whether to remove textured coatings from the list that only licensed contractors are able to remove.

Anne McGuire: HSE has commissioned new research from the Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) on the exposure levels arising from work to remove textured coatings containing asbestos that is carried out in line with the methods and control measures set out in the Health and Safety Commission's (HSC's) draft Approved Code of Practice. The results will be taken into account as part of the HSC's consultation process and consideration of the revised asbestos regulations.

Benefits

Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Workand Pensions how many and what percentage of people aged over 60 years are receiving housing benefit and/or council tax benefit (a) with pension credit and (b) without pension credit.

Stephen Timms: The information is not available in the format requested.
	The available information is in the following tables.
	
		Housing benefit (HB) and council tax benefit (CTB) recipients aged 60 and over and pension credit (PC) recipients: May 2005
		
			  HB CTB PC 
			  Caseload Percentage population Caseload Percentage population Caseload Percentage population 
		
		
			 Great Britain 1,518,100 12.4 2,444,500 19.9 2,680,200 21.8 
		
	
	
		Housing benefit (HB) and council tax benefit (CTB) recipients aged 60 and over also in receipt of pension credit (PC):May 2005
		
			  HB(33) and PC CTB(33) and PC 
			  Caseload Percentage population Caseload Percentage population 
		
		
			 Great Britain 1,237,500 10.1 1,972,100 16.1 
		
	
	(33)Figures may include a small number of men aged 60 to 64 in receipt of income-based jobseekers allowance.
	Notes:
	1.The data refers to benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple.
	2.Caseloads have been rounded to the nearest hundred and percentages have been given to one decimal place.
	3.For HB/CTB, figures for any non-responding authorities have been estimated.
	4.Housing benefit figures exclude any extended payment cases.
	5.Council tax benefit totals exclude any second adult rebate cases.
	6.Pension credit replaced MIG on 6 October 2003 and extended IS entitlement to customers aged 60 plus.
	7.Countries are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant ONS postcode directory.
	8.Population percentages have been calculated using 2004 ONS mid-year population estimates.
	9.'Aged 60 and over' is defined as benefit units where the claimant and/or partner are aged 60 and over. Therefore figures will contain some claimants aged under 60 where there is a partner aged over 60 years.
	10.Percentages of the population are based on the population aged 60 plus.
	Sources:
	Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System Quarterly 100 per cent. caseload stock-count taken in May 2005.
	DWP Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS).
	Office for National Statistics (ONS) mid-2004 population estimates.

Benefits

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what indicators will be used to assess progress towards his Department's aims to simplify the benefits system.

Stephen Timms: In its recent report on complexity in the benefits system, the National Audit Office acknowledged that the Department has taken a number of steps to tackle complexity. We are setting up a dedicated benefit simplification team which will seek to build on these steps. It will also investigate whether it is possible to produce a reliable set of indicators to measure progress.

British Muslims

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what arrangements are in place to monitor the work of organisations in receipt of public money whose programmes are designed to increase the ability of British Muslims to enter the labour market;
	(2)  how many organisations in receipt of public money whose work involves promoting the participation in the labour market of British Muslims (a) do not publish an annual report, (b) had their accounts queried by auditors and (c) did not submit their accounts on time in each of the last 10 years.

Margaret Hodge: We have an ethnic minority employment strategy in place to help people from ethnic minority groups improve their access to the labour market; this includes Muslims, three quarters of whom come from Asian backgrounds, and people from other faith communities. The high level strategy is monitored through our public service agreement (PSA) target and by the Ethnic Minority Employment Task Force.
	Contracts let by Jobcentre Plus are subject to formal contract management processes involving provider self-assessment and quarterly Jobcentre Plus reviews. The Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI), responsible for all post-19 learning provision in England, operates a four-year inspection cycle; each Jobcentre Plus provider is inspected once within the cycle and graded on a four-point scale. All ALI reports are published. The Scottish Inspectorate and ESTYN perform similar functions in Scotland and Wales.
	DWP sponsors three Invest to Save Budget (ISB) Ethnic Minority Employment pilots, run by Voluntary and Community Sector organisations. ISB funding comes from HM Treasury; before they agree to part-fund bids, the Home Office takes up references and ensures that the lead organisation meets standard financial requirements. The pilots are then monitored by HM Treasury and DWP through six-monthly reports.

Buncefield Oil Depot

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place in the Library a copy of the Health and Safety Executive reports relating to the improvement notice, and subsequent compliance, served against British Pipeline Agency Ltd. at the Buncefield Terminal.

Anne McGuire: Yes, copies of the relevant extracts of documents will be placed in the House of Commons Library.
	Details of the improvement notice in question are already available on HSE's website.

Buncefield Oil Depot

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place in the Library a copy of the Health and Safety Executive guidance relating to safety and security in fuel depots.

Anne McGuire: Copies of the written relevant guidance document are already publicly available, but I will place a copy in the Library.

Buncefield Oil Depot

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what guidance the Government have given to emergency planning authorities with regard to safety and security in and near fuel depots.

Anne McGuire: Sites which store or use large quantities of flammable substances such as fuels are subject to the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999 (COMAH).
	Guidance on emergency planning for sites subject to the COMAH Regulations (Emergency Planning for Major Accidents, HSG191) has been issued by the Health and Safety Executive in its role as joint Competent Authority. More general guidance on the COMAH regulations, which includes further advice on emergency planning, has also been published by HSE (AGuide to the Control of Major Accident Hazards regulations 1999, L111). The Cabinet Office has also prepared guidance on dealing with major emergencies (Dealing With Disaster, ISBN 185 893 9208).

Burslem Job Centre

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what discussions he has had on the future use of the Burslem Job Centre;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the (a) cost and (b) ease of access for people using the Burslem Job Centre of using other centres; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. She will write to my hon. Friend.
	Letter from Lesley Strathie, dated 19 December 2005
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions concerning what discussions he has had on the future use of the Burslem Job Centre; and what assessment he has made of the (a)cost and (b) ease of access for people using the Burslem Job Centre of using other centres. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Once Burslem Jobcentre has closed, full responsibility for the property rests with the owners Land Securities Trillium.
	Prior to the decision to close Burslem Jobcentre, a full feasibility study was conducted which mapped customers by postcode against existing public transport routes. Burslem and the surrounding area are well served by public transport. The longest journey time for current Burslem Jobcentre customers to one of the other surrounding Jobcentre Plus offices is 20 minutes, costing 2 return.
	I hope this is helpful.

Burslem Job Centre

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many staff are based at Burslem Job Centre; and what plans there are to transfer them;
	(2)  how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time workers are employed at Burslem Job Centre.

Margaret Hodge: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. She will write to my hon. Friend.
	Letter from Lesley Strathie, dated 19 December 2005
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions asking how many staff are based at Burslem Job Centre and what plans there are to transfer them; and how many (a) full and (b)part time workers are employed at Burslem Job Centre. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	There are currently twenty-three staff based at Burslem Jobcentre. These staff will be redeployed to other Jobcentre Plus sites, by means of preference exercises. A preference exercise allows an individual to select a location that is most suitable to them to travel to or a job role they are particularly interested in. Staff are also able to apply for vacancies in other offices in the Department for Work and Pensions as they become available.
	Of the twenty-three staff currently based at Burslem Jobcentre, twenty are full time workers and three are part time.
	I hope this is helpful.

Carers Allowance

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he takes to ascertain whether persons claiming carers' allowance (a) as live-in carers are carers or cohabitees and (b) are capable of and competent to act as carers, and are acting as such.

Anne McGuire: The administration of carer's allowance is a matter for the chief executive of the Disability and Carers Service, Mr. Terry Moran. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Terry Moran, dated 19 December 2005
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he takes to ascertain whether persons claiming carers allowance (a) as live-in carers are carers or cohabitees and (b) are capable of and competent to act as carers and are acting as such.
	The Minister for Disabled People, Anne McGuire MP, promised you a substantive reply from the Chief Executive of the Disability and Carers Service.
	To be entitled to Carer's Allowance (CA) a customer must be regularly and substantially caring for a severely disabled person for at least 35 hours a week. All customers who claim CA are required to sign a statement confirming that they do that.
	The conditions of entitlement for CA do not specify that the carer must live with the disabled person therefore no checks are carried out on this when claims for CA are received.
	From 5th December 2005, CA claim packs contain a statement that allows the disabled person, or someone acting on their behalf, to acknowledge that someone is claiming CA for caring for them, to confirm whether 35 hours caring is taking place, to acknowledge that their benefits may be affected by the CA claim, and to understand that their Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance records will be checked in order to process the CA claim.
	The disabled person, or someone acting on their behalf, must sign the statement before the claim to CA is processed.
	I hope this is helpful.

Carers Allowance

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in the Leeds West constituency have been in receipt of the carer's allowance in each year since it was introduced.

Anne McGuire: The administration of carer's allowance is a matter for the chief executive of the Disability and Carers Service, Mr. Terry Moran. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Terry Moran, dated 19 December 2005
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in the Leeds West constituency have been in receipt of the carer's allowance in each year since it was introduced.
	The Minister for Disabled People, Anne McGuire MP, promised you a substantive reply from the Chief Executive of the Disability and Carers Service.
	The information available is in the following table:
	
		Carer's allowance cases in receipt of payment for Leeds West parliamentary constituency -- Thousand
		
			 May Cases in payment 
		
		
			 2005 0.6 
			 2004 0.6 
			 2003 0.6 
			 2002 0.5 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Definitions and conventions: - nil or negligible; . not applicable; caseload figures are rounded to the nearest hundred and displayed in thousands; Totals may not sum due to rounding.
	2.Caseloads at parliamentary constituency level are not available previous to the dates shown.
	3.Caseload (thousands): Totals show the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and excludes people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended.
	Source:
	DWP Information Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study and DWP 100 per cent. Data.
	I hope this is helpful.

Carers Allowance

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in the Tamworth constituency have been in receipt of the carer's allowance in each year since it was introduced.

Anne McGuire: The administration of carer's allowance is a matter for the chief executive of the disability and carers service, Mr. Terry Moran. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Terry Moran, dated 19 December 2005
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in the Tamworth constituency have been in receipt of the carer's allowance in each year since it was introduced.
	The Minister for Disabled People, Anne McGuire MP, promised you a substantive reply from the Chief Executive of the Disability and Carers Service.
	The information available is in the following table:
	
		Carer's allowance cases in receipt of payment for Tamworth parliamentary constituency -- Thousand
		
			  Cases in payment 
		
		
			 May  
			 2005 0.8 
			 2004 0.8 
			 2003 0.8 
			 2002 0.8 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Definitions and Conventions: - Nil or Negligible; . Not applicable; Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest hundred and displayed in thousands; Totals may not sum due to rounding.
	2.Caseloads at parliamentary constituency level are not available previous to the dates shown.
	3.Caseload (Thousand): Totals show the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and excludes people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended.
	Source:
	DWP Information Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study and DWP 100 per cent. Data.
	I hope this is helpful.

Child Poverty

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the impact of housing costs on child poverty; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: Specific information regarding low income for Great Britain is available in Households Below Average Income 1994/952003/04. The threshold of below 60 per cent. contemporary median income is the most commonly used in reporting trends in low income. Figures are provided for children based on distributions sourced from the FamilyResources Survey using two definitions of net disposable income. One uses a concept before, and one after, housing costs have been deducted from household income. Housing costs include rent, mortgage interest payments, water rates or water charges, structural insurance, ground rent and service charges.
	However, poverty is about more than low income. It is also about health, education, housing and the quality of the environment. The seventh annual Opportunity for all report, published recently, sets out the Government's strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion and presents information on the indicators used to measure progress against this.
	Housing is an important part of the Government's strategy on poverty and social exclusion. Opportunity for All monitors the proportion of children in non-decent homes, and also includes an indicator monitoring the proportion of families with children in temporary accommodation.
	The document 'Measuring child poverty' published in December 2003 outlines the Government's measure of UK child poverty for the long-term. This includes a material deprivation measure which will capture children in families with high unavoidable costs, such as housing costs or childcare, which can adversely impact on living standards and leave people with low disposable incomes. Because it incorporates a newhigherrelative income line it will count some children as in poverty for the first time. The quality of housing will be directly measured as part of the material deprivation indicators, and will include housing that is poorly repaired, overcrowded or cold.
	Copies of all documents are available in the Library.

Child Poverty

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what progress has been made towards meeting the Government's 2005 child poverty targets in Tamworth constituency; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The Government's target, set in the 2002 Spending Review, is to reduce the number of children in low-income households by at least a quarter by 200405, as a contribution towards the broader target of halving child poverty by 2010 and eradicating it by 2020.
	As set out in Household Below Average Income (HBAI), between 199899 and 200304 (the latest data available) the number of children living in relative low-income households fell by 500,000 on a before housing costs basis and by 600,000 on an after housing costs basis.
	The Government are broadly on track to meet their 200405 target. Final data for the 200405 target will be available in spring 2006.
	The data source does not allow us to provide robust estimates below regional level.

Chronic Back Pain

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps are being taken in his Department to help civil servants with chronic back pain.

Anne McGuire: When faced with staff who suffer chronic back pain, a line manager is required to consider and, where appropriate, make reasonable adjustments. They will take into account the nature and severity of the disability or the underlying medical condition, and the treatment being received.
	In addition, the Department provides support to individuals who suffer medical conditions, which may be affected by their working environment. Our Occupational Health Provider carries out full workplace assessments and adaptations (for example a special chair) are put in place as a result of recommendations they make. In order for this process to be streamlined, a pilot is currently under way involving all parties; Occupational Health, facilities managers, procurement and equipment suppliers, to put in place adaptations in the shortest possible time. The Department does not take a legalistic approach to the Disability Discrimination Act, in that, anyone identified as needing a workplace adaptation will be accommodated where it is reasonable to do so.

Child Support Agency

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans there are to apply retrospection to Child Support Agency cases pre-dating 3 March 2003 where a non-resident parent is found to be liable for lower child maintenance payments under the new system of calculating child maintenance.

James Plaskitt: There are no plans to apply any retrospection to any Child Support Agency cases when they are moved to the new scheme.

Department IT

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent action he has taken to ensure that departmental staff involved with the restructuring of IT provision within his Department have the necessary skills.

Anne McGuire: In order to deliver its ambitious programme of business transformation and modernisation, so that welfare reform can be delivered more efficiently to its customers, my department is acting to recruit key staff to improve its in-house skills.
	Following open competition the Department has made more than 90 professional appointments, providing the Department with IT capability to match the best in industry. The Department has appointed a Chief Information Officer (CIO) with extensive experience in the delivery of major IT and business change programmes. The CIO aims to ensure the delivery of effective, reliable and value for money information systems and services. Other appointments have been made at Director level, in the areas of project management, programme management, portfolio management, IT strategy and development and commercial management.
	In addition the Department is establishing robust competency frameworks for all its IT specialists. These frameworks are aligned with Professional Skills for Government established by the Cabinet Office and the Transformational Government strategy published on 2 November 2005.

Departmental Staff

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the 10 highest-paid employees in his Department, broken down by (a) job title and (b) salary including bonuses; and whether the individual concerned is (i) a civil servant and (ii) a contractor in each case.

Anne McGuire: The 10 highest-paid employees in my Department by job title and pay range are shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Job title Pay range 
		
		
			 Permanent Secretary, DWP 130,350 to 209,477 
			 Chief Executive, Jobcentre Plus 130,350 to 209,477 
			 Group Director and Chief Information Officer, Programme and Systems Delivery Group 93,139 to 198,197 
			 Group Finance Director 93,139 to 198,197 
			 Chief Executive, The Pension Service 93,139 to 198,197 
			 Chief Executive, Child Support Agency 93,139 to 198,197 
			 Chief Technology Officer, Programme and Systems Delivery Group 75,607 to 159,659 
			 Information Systems Programme Director, Jobcentre Plus 75,607 to 159,659 
			 Strategic IT Sourcing Director Programme and Systems Delivery Group 75,607 to 159,659 
			 Strategic Programme Director, Child Support Agency 75,607 to 159,659 
		
	
	All of the above are civil servants. Individual salaries are not disclosed, in order to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned. I refer the hon. Member to the DWP's Departmental Report, a copy of which has been placed in the Library, for the salary of the Permanent Secretary, the Chief Executive of The Pension Service and the Group Finance Director.
	Information on Civil Service reward is available at:
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/index.asp

Disability and Carers Service

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether a Minister in his Department is planned to be nominated to take responsibility for liaison with the Office for Disability Issues; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: The Office for Disability Issues is a cross-government unit which reports to the Minister for Disabled People in this Department, who has lead responsibility, in collaboration with colleagues across Government, for driving forward the Government's 20year strategy to deliver substantive equality for disabled people.

Disability and Carers Service

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the national targets are for the disability and carers service; and what the performance of offices in South Devon is in relation to those targets.

Anne McGuire: The administration of disability and carers service is a matter for the chief executive of that agency, Mr. Terry Moran. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Terry Moran, dated 19 December 2005
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the national targets are for the Disability and Carers Service; and if he will publish the performance of offices in South Devon in relation to those targets.
	The Minister for Disabled People, Anne McGuire MP, promised you a substantive reply from the Chief Executive of the Disability and Carers Service.
	The information available on DCS national targets for 20052006 is in the following table:
	
		
			 Event National targets 200506 
		
		
			 DLA Normal Rules Claims 39 
			 DLA Reconsiderations 35 
			 DLA Appeals 37 
			 DLA Decision Maker Accuracy 90% 
			 AA Normal Rules Claims 22 
			 AA Reconsiderations 35 
			 AA Appeals 35 
			 AA Decision Maker Accuracy 90% 
			 CA Claims 22 
			 CA Appeals 35 
			 CA Decision Maker Accuracy 96% 
		
	
	Note:
	For DLA/AA Claims, Reconsiderations, Appeals and CA Claims and Appeals the national target is an Actual Average Clearance Target (AACT), given in working days. The AACT is calculated by, adding up the total cumulative days taken to clear all cases and dividing this by the total number of cases cleared.
	No AACT data is available specifically for the South Devon area. However, the information in the table below provides the year-to-date (YTD) performance, against the national targets, for Bristol Disability Benefits Centre (DBC).
	
		
			 Event Bristol DBC YTD AACT 
		
		
			 DLA Normal Rules New Claims 34.4 
			 DLA Reconsiderations 26.4 
			 DLA Appeals 25.6 
			 AA Normal Rules New Claims 20.7 
			 AA Reconsiderations 24.1 
			 AA Appeals 25.6 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Bristol DBC deals with the whole of South West of England from Gloucester in the north, Swindon and Bournemouth to the east, through to the Isle of Scilly.
	2.Decision Maker accuracy is only reported at national level.
	The DCS does not publish performance figures for offices in South Devon, as there are no DCS offices in the South Devon area. The performance against targets for Bristol DBC is available in its Customer Service reception area. Overall DCS performance against targets is reported in the 'DCS Annual Report and Accounts' that is available in the Libraries of both Houses.
	I hope this is helpful.

Disability Living Allowance

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 24 November 2005, Official Report, column 2252W, on disability living allowance, how many recipients of (a) highest rate care component and (b) middle rate care component are also in receipt of the higher rate mobility component, broken down by region.

Anne McGuire: holding answer 12 December 2005
	The requested information is in the table.
	
		Disability living allowance: numbers of recipients of (a) the highest rate care component and the higher rate mobility component; and (b) the middle rate care component and the higher rate mobility component in Great Britain at 31 May 2005 by Government office region
		
			 Government office region Highest rate care component and higher rate mobility component Middle care component and higher rate mobility component 
		
		
			 North East 24.1 22.6 
			 North West 68.6 68.6 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 41.4 38.4 
			 East Midlands 31.5 28.3 
			 West Midlands 43.0 38.2 
			 East 31.9 28.3 
			 London 45.1 37.5 
			 South East 40.0 35.2 
			 South West 30.2 29.6 
			 Wales 39.1 32.0 
			 Scotland 51.6 49.1 
			 Unknown 0.3 0.4 
			 Total 446.3 408.3 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Figures are in thousands, rounded to the nearest hundred, and exclude cases where payment of the allowance is suspended; for example, because the recipient has been a NHS hospital in-patient for more than four weeks. Totals may not sum due to rounding.
	2.Postcodes are used to allocate recipients to the relevant Government office region. The figures shown against Unknown are those for cases where the postcode is incomplete.
	Source:
	DWP Information Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study.

Disabled People

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what representations he has received on the UK's involvement with the draft UN Convention on the Rights of Disabled People; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: The Department receives occasional correspondence on the draft UN Convention. We have also established a mechanism for regular review meetings with UK non-governmental organisations representing disabled people to keep them up to date with progress and seek their views on draft text. Additionally, the UK's involvement in the Convention is often discussed during regular meetings between departmental Ministers and disability organisations.

Employment Zone (Tower Hamlets)

George Galloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reasons new deal 25 plus in the London borough of Tower Hamlets has been replaced with the Employment Zone.

Margaret Hodge: Employment Zones are about finding the best way of helping jobless people find work and focus on those areas facing the most severe labour market problems. Areas like Tower Hamlets were chosen for Employment Zones because they had the highest unemployment rates in the country and the highest share of people unemployed for two years or more.
	By harnessing the skills and expertise of the organisations and partnerships involved in Employment Zones we are able to provide more innovative ways of helping people into jobs. We are also providing additional help to reduce the high level of long-term unemployed jobseeker's allowance claimants in Tower Hamlets, beyond that which had been available under new deal 25 plus.

Finance Director

John Maples: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions who the director of finance in his Department is; what relevant specialist qualifications he or she holds; and what the details of his or her career to date are.

Anne McGuire: The Finance Director General for the Department for Work and Pensions is John Codling. He is a CIPFA qualified accountant. John joined the Benefits Agency as Finance Director in April 1998. He was subsequently appointed the DSS Finance Director in May 2000 and then Finance Director General for DWP in 2001. Before joining the Benefits Agency John was Finance Director of the Funding Agency for Schools and before that held a series of senior posts in the Health Service and Local Government in both England and Scotland.

Financial Assistance Scheme

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects the first payments to be made by the Financial Assistance Scheme.

Stephen Timms: The first payments by the Financial Assistance Scheme to members of the ASW (Cardiff) pension scheme, the first scheme to provide us with the required details, have been issued and should be in individuals' bank accounts by Wednesday 21 December.

Firework Storage Sites

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the Health and Safety Executive, when considering whether applicants for licensed firework storage sites are fit and proper persons, takes into account the criminal record of applicants other than their record with relation to explosives legislation.

Anne McGuire: The Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations 2005 permit a licensing authority to refuse a licence where it takes the view that the applicant is not a fit person to store explosives. This means that the licensing authority does not have confidence in the applicant's ability or willingness to store the explosives safely.
	In considering this issue the authority will primarily consider previous breaches of health and safety legislation but it can also take into account breaches of other relevant legislation where this reflects on the ability of the applicant to store safely and its willingness to comply with health and safety legislation.
	HSE does not have access to the police criminal records and is not therefore able to run criminal records checks.

Gas Industry Levy

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions he has had with (a) Ofgem, (b) the Health and Safety Commission and (c) the Council of Registered Gas Installers on the proposals from the Health and Safety Commission in 2000 for a levy on the gas industry to fund (i) a watchdog to promote carbon monoxide awareness and (ii)equipment for gas emergency services to test for carbon monoxide; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: None. However, my noble friend the Lord Hunt is due to meet both the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and CORGI early next year when these issues are on the agenda.
	The Health and Safety Commission's Fundamental Review of Gas Safety in 2000 recommended a levy on the gas industry for research and publicity, not specifically for a watchdog to promote carbon monoxide awareness.

Household Incomes

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent assessment has been made of the (a) comprehensiveness and (b) accuracy of advice given by Jobcentres on the effect on household incomes of coming off the unemployment register and engaging in part-time work.

Margaret Hodge: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. She will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Lesley Strathie, dated 19 December 2005
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning what recent assessment has been undertaken of the comprehensiveness and accuracy of the advice given by jobcentres on the effect of household incomes of coming off the unemployment register and engaging in part time work. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	I am not aware of any such assessment within the past year.
	Jobcentre Plus advisors use a networked version of the Departmental Integrated Benefits Information System (IBIS) computer system to help them provide 'Better-off in work advice to customers. This IT tool provides a comprehensive calculation across the full range of income-based benefits and tax credits. The user either enters the amount of benefit known to be in payment, or lets the system calculate current entitlements based on the information provided by the customer. The system then allows a 'what if scenario to be entered to compare to the current position, and this will most typically involve a customer's prospective job details. Such events often involve a number of consequential changes such as the addition of travelling expenses and childcare and the IBIS system prompts for all of these to be considered and captured where appropriate.
	Once all of the additional information has been entered for the prospective change, the system performs another series of calculations to show estimated entitlements. It also performs a financial comparison between the current actual position and the (typically) in work estimate. This is known as the Better Off calculation and shows a customer exactly how much per week they will gain or loose by taking a particular job.
	With regard to accuracy, we take this very seriously and regularly update the IBIS system in line with, for example, changes to benefit rates. When we have investigated cases where the advice may have appeared incorrect, we have generally found this to have been caused either by incorrect or incomplete information being supplied by the customer, or when circumstances have changed between the advice being given and, for example, the take up of a job.

Household Poverty

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of households were in poverty (a) before housing costs and (b) after housing costs in the most recent year for which figures are available; and how many in each case were (i) local authority tenants, (ii) housing association tenants, (iii) private tenants, (iv) owner occupiers with a mortgage and (v) those who own outright.

Margaret Hodge: Poverty is about more than low income. It is also about health, housing, education and the quality of the environment. The seventh annual 'Opportunity for all' report (Cm 6239), published in October 2005, sets out the Government's strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion and presents information on the indicators used to measure progress against this strategy .
	Specific information regarding individuals living in low income households is available in Households Below Average Income 1994/952003/04, available in the Library. The threshold of below 60 per cent. contemporary median income is the most commonly used in reporting low income.
	Information on the percentage of households in relative low income, and the number of households in low income by tenure type is presented in the following table for 200304. A relative low income household is defined here as a household with income below 60 per cent. of contemporary median income.
	
		
			  Before housing costs After housing costs 
		
		
			 Percentage of households in low income 17 21 
			
			 Number of households in low income by tenure type 
			 (i) local authority tenants 800,000 1,300,000 
			 (ii) housing association tenants 400,000 800,000 
			 (iii) private tenants 400,000 800,000 
			 (iv) owned with a mortgage 800,000 1,000,000 
			 (v) owned outright 1,700,000 1,200,000 
			 (vi) other 100,000 100,000 
			 Total number of households in low income 4,300,000 5,200,000 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Tables show percentages rounded to the nearest percentage point, and numbers rounded to the nearest 100,000.
	2.Figures may not sum due to rounding.

Income Support

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average length of time taken by the Department is to process requests for appeals in relation to income support awards.

Anne McGuire: holding answer 12 December 2005
	The administration of the Appeals Service is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Appeals Service, Christina Townsend. She will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Christina Townsend, dated 19 December 2005
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question regarding the average length of time taken by his department to process requests for appeals in relation to income support awards.
	I refer the Honourable member to my letter dated the 21st November 2005, a copy of which can be found on the House of Commons Hansard within the Written Answers section, column 1669W.
	I hope this reply is helpful.

Industrial Injuries Benefit

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of expenditure by his Department on industrial injuries benefit for each year from 199091 to 200607; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The information is in the table.
	
		Expenditure on industrial injuries benefits since 1990
		
			  Status Nominal terms Real terms, 200506 prices 
		
		
			 199091 Outturn 584 877 
			 199192 Outturn 655 927 
			 199293 Outturn 668 916 
			 199394 Outturn 686 918 
			 199495 Outturn 707 931 
			 199596 Outturn 731 937 
			 199697 Outturn 743 920 
			 199798 Outturn 747 898 
			 199899 Outturn 761 892 
			 19992000 Outturn 753 866 
			 200001 Outturn 759 861 
			 200102 Outturn 778 862 
			 200203 Outturn 783 840 
			 200304 Outturn 783 819 
			 200405 Estimated 795 814 
			 200506 Planned 803 803 
			 200607 Planned 801 782 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Figures are for Great Britain
	2.Figures have been rounded to the nearest  million.
	3.Figures for real terms are based on 200506 prices.
	4.The industrial injuries benefits expenditure quoted is a total of industrial injuries disablement benefit, industrial death benefit, and other industrial injuries benefits.
	5.Expenditure information is published on the Department's internet website at the following addresshttp://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/expenditure.asp. The information in the internet tables has recently been updated, following the pre-Budget report 2005, and is therefore consistent with the pre-Budget report.
	Source:
	Expenditure figures have been taken from the DWP Expenditure Tables (Tables 3, 3a, 4, and 4a).

Jobcentre Plus

Malcolm Rifkind: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  if he will list the (a) private companies and (b) voluntary organisations that deliver Jobcentre Plus contracts;
	(2)  what percentage of outsourced employment services contracts are delivered by (a) private companies and (b) voluntary organisations; and what the value is in 200506 in each case.

Margaret Hodge: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. She will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Lesley Strathie, dated 19 December 2005
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions requesting a list of organisations that deliver Jobcentre Plus contracts broken down into private and voluntary sector organisations, and what percentage of outsourced employment services contracts are delivered by these organisations and their contract value for 200506. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	A list of organisations which have Jobcentre Plus contracts has been placed in the library. Unfortunately, we are currently not able to breakdown this list of providers between private and voluntary organisations. This information could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
	However, Jobcentre Plus is currently implementing a new system which will enable information on programmes and providers to be obtained and collated more readily. The decision to set up this improved database came as a recommendation from the Jobcentre Plus Programme Procurement Review. Jobcentre Plus has set up a new externally administered accreditation service which will capture comprehensive information on all contractors and their sub contractors, broken down by programme and by type of organisation e.g. private company, voluntary body etc. This new system should be largely complete by April 2006.
	With regard to your request for information regarding contract value, the total available budget for all Jobcentre Plus provision for 200506 is 1.1 billion. The actual expenditure on all these demand led contracts will, of course, depend on the volume of customers who actually take up the opportunities available within the various programmes. It will not be possible to break down expenditure by category of provider until the new database is available from April 2006.
	I hope this is helpful.

Jobcentre Plus

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claimants live more than five miles from an integrated Jobcentre Plus customer-facing office.

Margaret Hodge: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. She will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Lesley Strathie, dated 19 December 2005
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning how many claimants live more than 5 miles away from an integrated Jobcentre Plus customer facing office. This falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	We do not hold information on the distance our customers have to travel to their nearest Jobcentre Plus office.
	In planning the new network of Jobcentre Plus offices, local managers take into account many factors including population spread, availability and cost of public transport, and the distance between offices. We aim to locate our new offices where there are good transport links.
	Inevitably as the office network changes, there will be some customers who will find they will have to travel further. Jobcentre Plus is actively working with local partners to ensure that these hard to reach communities have access to services. In many locations, particularly rural locations, we are often able to provide outreach facilities, ensuring access to job vacancies, advice and information through third party premises.
	In practice this means that with our new network, very few of our customers would have to travel more than 5 miles to access Jobcentre Plus services, other than in the most remote rural areas. Customers are now using our offices differently. More of our face-to-face customer contact is on an appointment basis and information on job vacancies is readily available by telephone and Internet. This enables staff in our offices to focus on those customers in greatest need of support.
	I hope this is helpful.

Jobcentre Plus

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how Jobcentre Plus has performed against its customer service targets in each year since 2001.

Margaret Hodge: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. She will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Lesley Strathie, dated 19 December 2005
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning how Jobcentre Plus has performed against its customer service targets in each year since 2001. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Jobcentre Plus was created in April 2002 bringing together the former Employment Service and those parts of the former Benefits Agency delivering services to working age people.
	Jobcentre Plus's performance against its targets is published each year in our Annual Report and Accounts, copies of which can be found in the House of Commons Library. Performance against our Customer Service Target for the last three operational years and current operational year is in the table below.
	For the operational year 2004/05, social security offices were included in the data capture process for the Customer Service Target. These offices had not previously been assessed under the Mystery Shopper component of the target. There were training initiatives underway at the time to up skill the staff. This was against a background of reducing headcount and the continued rollout. The expected progress on rollout was not achieved in 2004/05, and therefore the target achievement level was not upgraded in 2005/06.
	
		Customer service -- Percentage
		
			  Target Achievement 
		
		
			 200203 79 85 
			 200304 83 83.4 
			 200405 81 83.2 
			 200506 81 84.8 
		
	
	Note:
	For 200506 the performance achieved is up to end of September 2005.
	I hope this is helpful.

New Deal

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was spent on the New Deal in Beverley and Holderness in each year from 199798; and what the estimate is for each year to 200809.

Margaret Hodge: Figures for expenditure and estimates for New Deal spend/forecast are not available at constituency level.

New Registrations (Slough)

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many people from the new EU member states have joined the new deal scheme in Slough in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many people registered for the new deal in Slough in each of the last five years for which data are available.

Margaret Hodge: Information is not collected on the nationality of those starting new deal.

National Insurance Contributions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions by how many years qualifying national insurance contributions would have to be reduced in order that 90 per cent. of newly retired women would receive a full basic state pension in their own right.

Stephen Timms: The information is not available in the form requested.
	Home responsibilities protection (HRP) reduces the number of qualifying years needed for a full basic state pension by up to half, so the precise number of years an individual requires will vary according to the number of years of HRP awarded. However, departmental administrative data indicates that if a full basic state pension were paid to those who have the equivalent of at least 10 qualifying years, approximately 85 per cent. of newly retired women in March 2005 might receive the full basic pension. This may overestimate the reduction in qualifying years needed for a particular proportion of newly retired women to receive a full BSP in their own right, due to the way in which HRP interacts with qualifying years.
	Women's basic state pension records are continuing to improve with the combined effect of increased labour market participation and HRP, so in the future a much more modest reduction in qualifying years might be needed to achieve the same outcome. We estimate on the basis of the current system that by 2025 men and women reaching age 65 will have similar basic state pension entitlements.
	Notes:
	1.The answer is based on 200405 departmental administrative data which provides information about the amount of basic state pension (BSP) in payment. 2.The answer includes an approximation of the proportion of women at state pension age in March 2005 who made a late claim or deferred their state pension entitlement. 3.Currently women normally need 39 qualifying years for a full BSP and 10 qualifying years to get the minimum BSP, at least one year must derive from paid NICs. In 2020, when SPA for women is raised to age 65, the number of qualifying years for women will equalise with men, increasing to 44 for the full BSP and 11 qualifying years for the minimum BSP (which is 25 per cent. of the required qualifying years for a full BSP over a person's working life). The administrative data does not hold information on the entitlements of those who fail to qualify for the minimum BSP. 4.The figure is based on those women with the equivalent of 10 or more qualifying years. This includes women who have at least 10 qualifying years from paid Nl contributions, or a combination of contributions and Nl credits as well as women who have some home responsibilities protection HRP on their record. For example, a women with 19 years of HRP and 5 years of paid contributions is entitled to the same amount of BSP as a person with 10 years of paid contributions only. 5.The data set does not break down how the BSP is accrued (for example the number of years of paid contributions, credits or HRP). For this reason, the answer should be treated as approximate only. 6.The answer is based on women aged 60 in March 2005 resident in Great Britain.

Pathways to Work

Linda Gilroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people (a) aged over 50 and (b) aged under 50 (i) joined Pathways to Work, (ii)subsequently found work, (iii) joined New Deal for Disabled People (excluding people in Pathways to Work pilot areas) and (iv) subsequently found work (excluding people in Pathways to Work pilot areas) in the last year for which figures are available.

Margaret Hodge: The information requested is in the tables.
	
		Number of people who have joined Pathways to Work between September 2004 and August 2005
		
			  Number of individuals starting Pathways to Work Number who subsequently found work 
		
		
			 Aged 50 and over 21,530 1,640 
			 Aged under 50 58,460 5,620 
			 Age not known 3,670 830 
			 Total 83,660 8,090 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Data are to the end of August 2005.
	2.Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
	Source:
	Pathways to Work Evaluation Database
	
		Starts to New Deal for Disabled People (excluding people in Pathways to Work pilot areas) between September 2004 and August 2005
		
			  Number who started NDDP between September 2004 and August 2005, inclusive Number who subsequently found a job through NDDP 
		
		
			 Aged 1 849 years 39,980 13,170 
			 Aged 50+ years 13,950 4,800 
			 Total 54,020 17,990 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Data are to the end of August 2005.
	2.All figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
	3.Totals include people for whom age is not recorded. Because of this, and due to rounding, components will not necessarily sum to totals.
	Source:
	Information Directorate, DWP, 2005

Pension Reform

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what changes in public expenditure he expects to arise as a result of the state retirement pension age for women rising to 65 years.

Stephen Timms: The Government's long-term projections of benefit spending following the pre-Budget report of 5 December give total United Kingdom benefit spending on pensioners as 104.1 billion in 2020 compared with 77.3 billion in 2005. All figures are given in 200506 prices.
	If women's state pension age were to remain at 60, then benefit expenditure on pensioners would be 13.7billion higher. This saving is offset by extra costs of 3.5 billion on benefits for those of working age. Hence the change of the state retirement pension age to 65 years for women, with associated rises in the qualifying age for benefits such as pension credit or winter fuel payments, is expected to lead to a net saving in benefit expenditure of 10.1 billion in the year 2020 (figures do not sum exactly due to rounding).

Pensioners

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the administration costs were of the (a) pensioners' Christmas bonus, (b) the over-80s age top-up to the basic pension and (c) winter fuel allowance in 200405; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: We estimate that the cost of paying winter fuel payment, worth 1.9 billion to 11.4 million customers in 200405, was 23.2 million. The costs of administering the Christmas bonus and over-80 payment are not separately identifiable.

Pensioners

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of pensioners receive (a) a contracted-out pension and (b) SERPS or S2P; and what estimate he has made of the average amount received by these pensioners.

Stephen Timms: Information on the numbers and amounts of contracted-out pensions is not available. The only available information relates to deductions from additional State Pension in respect of periods of contracting-out from SERPS prior to April 1997.
	The total number of people receiving an additional State Pension which is subject to a contracted-out deduction is over 4 million representing 37.6 per cent. of all people receiving State Pension.
	The total number of people receiving an additional State Pension under SERPS and/or S2P is just over 7 million representing around 61 per cent. of all people receiving State Pension. For those in receipt of additional State Pension the weekly average amount is 18.80.
	Notes:
	1.Data is taken from 5 per cent. extract of Pension Service Computer System as at 31 March 2005, therefore figures are subject to a degree of sampling variation. They are also adjusted to be consistent with the overall February caseload from the WPLS. 2.Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest million. 3.Amounts are rounded to the nearest 10p.
	Source:
	DWP Information Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS) 100 per cent. data and 5 per cent. samples.

Pensions Service

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the national targets are for The Pension Service; and what the performance of offices in South Devon is in relation to those targets.

Stephen Timms: The annual targets for The Pension Service are published each year in the agency's Business Plan. Copies of The Pension Service's Business Plan 200506 are available in the House of Commons Library.
	Customers based in the Plymouth and Torbay areas are dealt with by Bath Pension Centre.
	The following table shows Bath Pension Centre performance information available at October 2005, against the published targets in The Pension Service Business Plan 200506.
	
		
			  National target Bath Pension Centre(34) 
		
		
			 Pay guarantee element of pension credit (households) 2.1 million N/A 
			 Reduce losses from fraud and error (percentage) 20 (35) 
			 Telephone calls answered (percentage) 92 97.6 
			 Telephone calls blocked (percentage) Less than 1 0 
			 Pension credit application process time (days) 10 7.63 
			 Pension credit accuracy rate (percentage) 96 94.4 
			 State pension claims (non complex) (percentage) 95 in 60 days 96.65 
			 State pension claims (complex cases) (percentage) 91 in 85 days (35) 
			 State pension claims accuracy rate (percentage) 98 98.50(36) 
			 Deal with state pension forecast requests (days) 15 N/A 
			 Issue winter fuel payments for 200506 (for claims received before 24 Sept 2005) by: Christmas 2005 (35) 
			 Reduce sick absence (days) 8 8.8 
		
	
	(34)Year to date.
	(35)Not available. This information is only collated on a national basis.
	(36)Interim October summary figure.

Performance Development System

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the annual administrative costs of the Performance Development System in the Department were in each of the last three years.

Anne McGuire: The information requested is not available.

Personal Capability Assessment

Roger Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the Government are conducting a review of the Personal Capability Assessment; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The Personal Capability Assessment is acknowledged as being one of the most comprehensive benefit assessment processes in use anywhere in the world. Of course, in common with all our services, its effectiveness is under constant review as we seek to continuously improve.
	In developing our proposals for welfare reform we are reviewing whether the process can be further developed to contribute more to supporting an individual's recovery and return to work. Any proposals emerging from this review will be detailed in our Welfare Reform Green Paper, which will be published in due course.

Poverty

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) of 21 November 2005, Official Report, columns 168286W, on poverty, if he will break down the information by (a) region and (b) county.

Margaret Hodge: Specific information regarding low income for Great Britain is available in Households Below Average Income (HBAI) 1994/952003/04, available in the Library. The threshold of below 60 per cent. of median household income is the most commonly used in reporting trends in low income.
	The data source does not allow us to provide robust estimates below regional level. Estimates at a regional level can be provided using data from 1994/95.
	Information on the number of children living in relative low income for Scotland, Wales and by Government Office Region from 199495 onwards has been placed in the Library.
	The figures are for absolute and relative incomes. Absolute low income is defined here for individuals as living in a household with income below 60 per cent. of 199697 median income which has been adjusted for inflation. Relative low income is defined here for individuals as living in a household with income below 60 per cent. of contemporary median.

Secondments

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what advisers to the Prime Minister have been seconded to work for the Department during the past year; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: holding answer 28 November 2005
	No advisers to the Prime Minister have been seconded to work for my Department during the past year.

Statutory Instruments

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what training is given to (a) policy officials and (b) lawyers in his Department responsible for drafting statutory instruments; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: Statutory Instruments are drafted by departmental lawyers based on instructions from policy divisions. Where SIs amend primary legislation, parliamentary counsel are consulted.
	As members of the Government Legal Service (GLS), departmental lawyers receive extensive training on the preparation and drafting of statutory instruments. This consists of a combination of lectures and practical exercises run by experienced practitioners in the GLS, coupled with training given by legal advisers who advise the parliamentary scrutiny committees. In addition, senior managers in the GLS take a close interest in the quality of SIs and provide frequent feedback and on the job training to those with lead responsibility for drafting. This is an ongoing process and part of the continuing education of government legal advisers.

Winter Fuel Payment

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost was of administering the winter fuel payment in 200405.

Stephen Timms: We estimate that the cost of paying winter fuel payment, worth 1.9 billion to 11.4 million customers in 200405, was 23.2 million.

Winter Fuel Payment

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioner households are eligible for the winter fuel allowance in Lancashire.

Stephen Timms: Last winter there were 175,150 pensioner households in Lancashire that received a winter fuel payment. We expect the number to be similar for this winter.
	Notes
	1.Figures are rounded to the nearest 5. 2.Any residence found to have four or more occupants is not included in these figures as it is assumed to be a Residential Care or Nursing Home. 3.Local authorities and parliamentary constituencies are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant ONS postcode directory.
	Source
	Information Directorate, 100 per cent. sample.

Winter Fuel Payment

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the number of pensioner householders in Wakefield district who are eligible for assistance with winter fuel payments.

Stephen Timms: It is not possible to provide an estimate of the number of pensioner householders who are eligible for a winter fuel payment. Last winter 62,010 householders in the Wakefield local authority received a winter fuel payment. We would expect the number to be similar for this winter. The figures for winter 200405 are also available in the Library.
	Notes:
	1.Figures are rounded to the nearest five. 2.Local authorities and parliamentary constituencies are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant ONS postcode directory.
	Source:
	Information Directorate, 100 per cent. sample

Working Neighbourhood Pilot

George Galloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the payments agreed by his Department to each private contractor for the Working Neighbourhood Pilot.

Margaret Hodge: The information requested is in the tables.
	
		1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005 -- 
		
			 Event JSA and anybody not working excluding lone parents, incapacity benefit, income support and severe disability allowance clients Lone parents, incapacity benefit, income support and severe disability allowance clients 
		
		
			 Engagement 300 853 
			 Job entry 1,370 2,500 
			 Job retention for 13 weeks 2,600 5,550 
		
	
	
		1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006 -- 
		
			 Event JSA and anybody not working excluding lone parents, incapacity benefit, income support and severe disability allowance clients Lone parents, incapacity benefit, income support and severe disability allowance clients 
		
		
			 Stage 1Engagement 300 n/a 
			 Stage 2 (after 4 weeks for JSA clients) 450 1,250 
			 First job outcome payment 400 1,000 
			 Second job outcome payment (after 5 weeks employed) 400 1,000 
			 Third job outcome payment  (after 13 weeks employed) 3,600 3,600 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Stage 1 Engagement is initial contact and preparation of a work plan.
	2.Stage 2 applies to those on JSA and anybody not working excluding lone parents, incapacity benefit, income support and severe disability allowance clients. It occurs after 4 weeks, the completion of the work plan and the commencement of job search.

TREASURY

Cash Machines (Northern Ireland)

David Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 7 December 2005, Official Report, column 1376W, on cash machines, how many cash machines in Northern Ireland charged customers to withdraw money in each of the last 10 years.

Ivan Lewis: Unfortunately LINK's historical data on ATMs are not broken down by location.

Electoral Register

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what percentage of households in each (a) London borough and (b) constituency were on the electoral register on 1 January; and if he will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: I have been asked to reply.
	Treasury has transferred this question to my Department as we deal with Electoral Policy.
	The most recent published statistics on electoral registration are for 1 December 2004. Following, there are two tables showing:
	1.The number of local government electors in each London borough; and
	2.The number of parliamentary electors in each London constituency.
	Please note that these statistics relate to individual electors rather than to households. Estimates on the percentage of individuals and households registered are not available at constituency or borough level.
	
		Table 1: Number of registered local government electors at 1 December 2004, by London borough
		
			 Borough Number of local government electors 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 119,372 
			 Barnet 214,421 
			 Bexley 171,904 
			 Brent 180,665 
			 Bromley 228,983 
			 Camden 144,326 
			 City of London 6,018 
			 Croydon 246,866 
			 Ealing 215,814 
			 Enfield 194,611 
			 Greenwich 160,176 
			 Hackney 129,274 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 116,144 
			 Haringey 152,486 
			 Harrow 162,049 
			 Havering 175,668 
			 Hillingdon 181,145 
			 Hounslow 165,583 
			 Islington 120,297 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 98,629 
			 Kingston upon Thames 99,014 
			 Lambeth 203,055 
			 Lewisham 177,731 
			 Merton 135,678 
			 Newham 171,815 
			 Redbridge 181,192 
			 Richmond upon Thames 120,146 
			 Southwark 180,173 
			 Sutton 131,315 
			 Tower Hamlets 145,444 
			 Waltham Forest 159,399 
			 Wandsworth 211,816 
			 Westminster 135,810 
		
	
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics (ONS)
	
		Table 2: Number of registered parliamentary electors at 1 December 2004, by constituency in London
		
			 Constituency Number of parliamentary electors 
		
		
			 Barking 57,310 
			 Battersea 69,093 
			 Beckenham 75,143 
			 Bethnal Green and Bow 82,157 
			 Bexleyheath and Crayford 64,840 
			 Brent East 55,115 
			 Brent North 59,629 
			 Brent South 55,722 
			 Brentford and Isleworth 79,433 
			 Bromley and Chislehurst 71,532 
			 Camberwell and Peckham 55,755 
			 Carshalton and Wallington 66,949 
			 Chingford and Woodford Green 61,585 
			 Chipping Barnet 66,260 
			 Cities of London and Westminster 71,321 
			 Croydon Central 81,038 
			 Croydon North 83,826 
			 Croydon South 77,071 
			 Dagenham 60,311 
			 Dulwich and West Norwood 72,148 
			 Ealing North 78,180 
			 Baling, Acton and Shepherd's Bush 70,094 
			 Ealing, Southall 83,471 
			 East Ham 77,547 
			 Edmonton 58,676 
			 Eltham 57,267 
			 Enfield North 66,378 
			 Enfield, Southgate 63,539 
			 Erith and Thamesmead 71,774 
			 Feltham and Heston 80,476 
			 Finchley and Golders Green 69,252 
			 Greenwich and Woolwich 63,764 
			 Hackney North and Stoke Newington 58,635 
			 Hackney South and Shoreditch 63,776 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 78,295 
			 Hampstead and Highgate 66,725 
			 Harrow East 84,044 
			 Harrow West 74,286 
			 Hayes and Harlington 57,810 
			 Hendon 70,959 
			 Holborn and St. Pancras 66,301 
			 Hornchurch 60,256 
			 Hornsey and Wood Green 76,646 
			 Ilford North 69,972 
			 Ilford South 78,296 
			 Islington North 56,975 
			 Islington South and Finsbury 56,457 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 61,426 
			 Kingston and Surbiton 71,231 
			 Lewisham East 57,616 
			 Lewisham West 57,998 
			 Lewisham, Deptford 56,519 
			 Leyton and Wanstead 60,089 
			 Mitcham and Morden 65,608 
			 North Southwark and Bermondsey 77,088 
			 Old Bexley and Sidcup 68,072 
			 Orpington 78,925 
			 Poplar and Canning Town 83,129 
			 Putney 61,279 
			 Regent's Park and Kensington North 77,350 
			 Richmond Park 69,025 
			 Romford 58,993 
			 Ruislip-Northwood 61,206 
			 Streatham 78,615 
			 Sutton and Cheam 62,321 
			 Tooting 70,201 
			 Tottenham 66,400 
			 Twickenham 71,116 
			 Upminster 55,493 
			 Uxbridge 58,311 
			 Vauxhall 79,022 
			 Walthamstow 62,833 
			 West Ham 61,634 
			 Wimbledon 63,943 
		
	
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics (ONS)

Equitable Life

John Butterfill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with theParliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman on the report of her investigation into the prudential regulation of Equitable Life.

Ivan Lewis: The Parliamentary Ombudsman's investigation into the prudential regulation of Equitable Life is, like all such investigations, being conducted in private. The Treasury is co-operating fully with the investigation.

Equitable Life

John Butterfill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received information from the Parliamentary Ombudsman on a publication date for her report on the prudential regulation of Equitable Life; whether he has made representations to the Parliamentary Ombudsman on this subject; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The timetable for the completion of the Parliamentary Ombudsman's investigation into the prudential regulation of Equitable Life is a matter for her.
	The Treasury is co-operating fully with the Ombudsman's investigation which, like all such investigations, is being conducted in private.

Gift Aid

Greg Clark: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost is to the Government of administering the gift aid scheme per pound of tax relief received by charities.

Ivan Lewis: HM Revenue and Customs does not distinguish the costs of administering gift aid from other activities in relation to charities and charitable giving.

National Insurance (Musicians)

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what impact assessment was conducted in relation to the requirement on music sector companies to pay class 1 national insurance contributions if they employ freelance musicians; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The Department of Social Security was responsible for the policy on national insurance contributions and changes to legislation covering actors and musicians that were introduced on 17 July 1998. The changes were made following prior consultation with Equity and the Musicians Union and other organisations.

Pensions

Paul Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequerwhat estimate he has made of the amounts payable in the basic pensions in the year 200607 for (a) individuals and (b) couples if pensions had been increased by the levels of earnings inflation since 1997.

Stephen Timms: I have been asked to reply.
	The information is in the table.
	
		
			   
		
		
			 State Pension (singles per week) 90.90 
			 State Pension (couples per week) 145.25 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Figures are based on the April 1997 rate of State Pension uprated in line with the non-seasonally adjusted September Average Earnings Index including bonuses for 1997, and subsequent years, and take account of the convention that rates of State Pension are rounded to the nearest 5 pence.
	2.The couples rate is taken to be the value of a full Category A Pension combined with the value of a full Category B Pension.

Red Diesel

David Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what derogation there is within the EU for the use of red diesel by pleasure craft; and if he will seek to extend the derogation.

John Healey: The Energy Products Directive (EPD) prohibits the use of rebated gas oil in leisure boats for private use, but the UK enjoys a derogation from this provision. This derogation expires at 31 December 2006 and can be renewed only with the unanimous agreement of the council.
	We confirmed in the pre-Budget report that we are minded to apply for an extension of this derogation. We will issue an initial regulatory impact assessment on the effects of ending the derogation early next year and this document will be used as the basis for further information gathering and discussions.

Stamp Duty

Mark Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of revenue from stamp duty on property in each of the next three financial years.

Ivan Lewis: Estimated and projected revenues for total stamp taxes in 200506 and 200607 are published in Table B14 of the pre-Budget 2006 report. The component of the duty attributable to land and property (Stamp Duty Land Tax) is given in the following table:
	
		 billion
		
			  Stamp duty land tax 
		
		
			 200506 7.0 
			 200607 7.8

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 28 November 2005, Official Report, column 83W, on tax credits, how many recommendations have been made by HM Revenue and Customs internal audit relating to fraud since 200304.

Dawn Primarolo: Internal Audit's role is to provide an independent and objective opinion to the Chairman and Audit Committee on risk management, control and governance. Over the course of the year it will report to the Chairman and Audit Committee on a whole range of issues including fraud and compliance and make recommendations where appropriate.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the cost of tax credits between 200304 and 201314 if (a) the yield from recovered overpayments is excluded from the calculation and (b) the reforms announced in the pre-Budget report were not introduced;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the yield from recovered tax credit overpayments between 200304 and 201314 if (a) the pre-Budget reforms were not introduced, (b) the pre-Budget reforms are introduced and (c) the income disregard is raised to 25,000 from 200607.

Dawn Primarolo: The likely scale of behavioural change resulting from no longer recovering any overpayments could have significant costs to the Exchequer; no estimates are available of this cost.
	The effect of the tax credit package is contained within table 1.2 of the 2005 pre-Budget report.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Agency Staff

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff were employed by non-departmental public bodies and agencies for which he has responsibility in 200405 in (a) total and (b) each (i) nation and (ii) region of the UK and (c) London.

Kim Howells: Our non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) employ a total of 7,715 staff.
	The detailed figures are as follows:
	four full-time and one part-time for the British Association for Central and Eastern Europe;
	0 for The Government Hospitality Advisory Committee for the Purchase of Wine;
	four full-time and two part-time for the Great British China Centre;
	0 for the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission;
	69 for the Wilton Park Academic Council;
	7,613 (in the UK and abroad) for the British Council;
	two part-time for the Foreign Compensation Commission;
	12 for the Westminster Foundation for Democracy;
	eight for the Diplomatic Service Appeals Board.
	All of the UK-based staff are located in London except in the case of The British Council and The Wilton Park Academic Council. The British Council has 45 staff in Scotland, 5.8 in Wales and 29 in Northern Ireland. Within the UK there are five staff in the East of England, three in the East Midlands, three in the West Midlands, three in Yorkshire and Humber, two in the North East, three in the South West, four in the South East and 575 in London. All 69 of the staff at The Wilton Park Academic Council are based in the South-East of England, in Sussex.

Airspace (Extraordinary Renditions)

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date (a) he and (b) his officials first became aware of allegations that the United States was using civil aircraft for the purpose of the rendition of terrorist suspects.

Kim Howells: As the US Secretary of State, Condaleezza Rice, made clear in her statement of 5 December 2005, the United States and other countries have for decades used renditions to transport terrorist suspects from the country in which they were captured to their home country or to other countries where they can be questioned, held or brought to justice. As to the current allegations about rendition, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and his officials became aware of them when they appeared in the media.

Airspace (Extraordinary Renditions)

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he (a) has written and (b) intends to write to the US Administration to ask whether UK airspace has been used for the purpose of the extraordinary rendition of anyone accused of terrorist activities since 11 September 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to the right hon. and learned Member for North-East Fife (Sir Menzies Campbell) on 12 December 2005, Official Report, columns 165253W.

Albatrosses

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what penalties can be imposed on people who are found to be responsible for deaths to albatrosses in the waters around (a) South Georgia, (b) the South Sandwich Islands and (c) the British Antarctic Territory; and whether there are plans to change these penalties.

Douglas Alexander: The incidental mortality of albatrosses and petrels in the waters of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) is now virtually zero, following a very successful campaign to employ effective mitigating measures on fishing vessels.
	Penalties do exist under the SGSSI Fisheries (Conservation and Management) Ordinance 2000, as amended, and the Falkland Islands Dependencies Conservation Ordinance 1975. These include a maximum fine of 250,000 for fishing vessels which breach fishing licence conditions, and a fine of 150 for those who kill, wound, capture, molest or export any native bird (including albatrosses or petrels). The latter penalty will be increased as part of the current revision of South Georgia legislation.
	Within the British Antarctic Territory, whose territorial sea lies within the Antarctic treaty area, penalties could only be imposed on UK nationals or those operating British-registered vessels. However, longlining vessels, which pose the greatest risk to albatrosses and petrels, are not permitted to fish in British Antarctic Territory waters. Penalties exist under the British Antarctic Territory Fauna and Flora (Conservation) Ordinance 1990. The maximum statutory penalty is 5,000. There are no plans to change this figure.

Albatrosses

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken to protect the albatross populations in (a) South Georgia, (b) the South Sandwich Islands and (c) the British Antarctic Territory; and how much funding was allocated to their protection in each place in each of the last eight years.

Douglas Alexander: Albatrosses are protected under the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Fisheries (Conservation and Management) Ordinance 2000 and the Falkland Islands Dependencies Conservation Ordinance 1975; various Conservation Measures of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) and the Agreement for the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP).
	The British Antarctic Survey are continuing with a long-term study of the breeding success of albatrosses at South Georgia. The birds are tracked by satellite to discover how they disperse at sea away from the Islands, and where they are at most risk of being killed by Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing outside South Georgia waters.
	The Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) ensures long-term monitoring of populations around the Island, manages tourism in such a way as to protect the breeding birds, and works with CCAMLR and the fishing industry to protect albatross species at sea.
	Scientific observers are placed on all longline fishing vessels and most trawlers to develop mitigation methods and monitor their success. This has cost the GSGSSI an average of over 500,000 per annum over the last three years. In addition, specific projects ashore that contribute to albatross protection have cost GSGSSI 10,400 in 1999; 42,167 in 2000; 55,000 in 2001; 39,946 in 2002; 55,513 in 2003; 83,575 in 2004, and are estimated to be 100,000 in 2005. It is accepted by CCAMLR, Birdlife International and the IUCN (World Conservation Union) that incidental seabird deaths in the South Georgia fisheries are now negligible.
	There are no breeding albatrosses on any of the South Sandwich Islands. Their protection at sea is included in the work of GSGSSI as described.
	All Antarctic fauna are protected under the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. This is enacted into UK legislation through the Antarctic Act 1994, which prohibits any interference with Antarctic fauna without a specific permit.
	The Government of the British Antarctic Territory has undertaken a number of environmental projects to reinforce the protection of vulnerable species in Antarctica. These have included the development of Antarctic Specially Managed and Protected Areas, under the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. These projects were not, however, specific to albatross and petrel species.

Assets (Corruption)

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what value of illicitly acquired assets of a foreign state recovered by British authorities has been returned to the victim state in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The Government welcome the new powers granted under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption which will make it easier for states to restrain funds. International co-operation is currently directed by existing legislation. However, these procedures have proved to be a barrier to providing effective assistance and as such there is no record of return of assets. The power of British authorities to seize assets will be strengthened when an Order in Council comes into force under the Proceeds of Crime Act (2002) in January 2006. The 2002 Act also provides for domestic action to be taken by way of civil recovery proceedings. I cannot comment on ongoing live cases and to date no assets have been returned.

Bangladesh

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions the UK Government have had with the Government of Bangladesh regarding that government's human rights record.

Kim Howells: We regularly raise human rights with the Government of Bangladesh. I visited Bangladesh from 14 to 16 November 2005. I underlined the UK's commitment to, and support of, human rights in Bangladesh during my discussions including with human rights campaigners and representatives of religious and ethnic minorities and in a widely reported high profile speech.
	The British high commission in Dhaka is actively engaged in the promotion of human rights. On 10 December 2005, in a speech to mark World Human Rights, the high commissioner called publicly on political and religious leaders in Bangladesh to defend minority rights, and to work to eradicate unlawful killings. The British high commission routinely monitors and often raises human rights with the Government of Bangladesh, both bilaterally and together with EU partners. As the EU Presidency, our high commission has specifically lobbied Ministers and officials on minority rights, the persecution of human rights defenders, freedom of the media and the observance of human rights by law enforcement agencies. They have also helped to raise awareness in Bangladesh of the plight of indigenous peoples, refugees and of human rights in wider civil society. The high commission also has regular contacts with human rights non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other activists in Bangladesh, and provides funding to NGOs for human rights based programmes.

Bangladesh

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the human rights situation in Bangladesh.

Kim Howells: We continue to have serious concerns about the human rights situation in Bangladesh including human rights abuses by the rapid action Battalion; the use of the death penalty, combined with legal and penal systems that do not have the appropriate probity or capacity; gender, ethnic and religious discrimination; the safeguarding of the rights of children and the disabled and the protection of vulnerable groups from exploitation. The British high commission in Dhaka regularly raise human rights issues with the Government of Bangladesh and provide funding to non-governmental organisations for human rights programmes.

Brazil

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his Department's policy towards British citizens held without representation in Brazil.

Kim Howells: Foreign and Commonwealth Office policy for all our overseas posts is for consular staff to visit detained British nationals if the detainee wishes them to do so. During visits to detainees, consular staff monitor their welfare, and can provide information on the local legal system and a list of local lawyers. However, consular staff are not qualified to give legal advice, nor can we pay for or provide legal representation.
	If a detainee indicates, either at a first meeting or subsequently, that they do not wish to receive consular assistance, our staff will respect the detainee's wishes.
	There are currently 37 British nationals in detention in Brazil. We do not keep records for any country of how many detainees have specifically asked not to receive consular assistance, so are unable to give a number for those not being assisted in Brazil.

Bribery (OECD Working Group)

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress the Government will report to the OECD Working Group on Bribery on how the United Kingdom is implementing the Working Group's Phase 2 review recommendations; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The UK's oral report on progress against the phase 2 review recommendations will take place at the meeting of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Working Group on Bribery in March 2006. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is co-ordinating the inputs of those Government Departments involved in responding to the recommendations. This process will continue until the presentation of the UK's final written report in March 2007. The FCO is currently collating information in preparation for the oral report in March 2006. When this has been completed, a progress report will be published.

Bribery (OECD Working Group)

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library the briefing documents drawn up by his Department for the oral report the UK will make to the OECD Working Group on Bribery in relation to the Working Group's Phase 2 review recommendations.

Ian Pearson: I refer the hon. Member to the reply Igave today (UIN 36845).

British Antarctic Territory

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last visited (a) South Georgia, (b) the South Sandwich Islands and (c) the British Antarctic Territory; and whether he has any plans to do so.

Douglas Alexander: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has never visited these Territories, nor does he have any plans at present to do so.

British Antarctic Territory

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to (a) encourage tourism to (i) South Georgia, (ii) the South Sandwich Islands and (iii) the British Antarctic Territory and (b) to restrict the impact of tourism on the wildlife in those areas.

Douglas Alexander: The Government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) encourages visits by tourist cruise vessels to South Georgia by attending the annual meeting of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), by providing services to shipping, by supporting the South Georgia Museum Trust and by preserving the wildlife and environment that attracts tourists. There are no facilities for tourists in the South Sandwich Islands.
	The Antarctic Treaty, to which the UK is a Consultative Party, designates Antarctica as a continent for peace and science. While the Government considers sustainable tourism a legitimate activity in Antarctica, they do not promote tourism to the British Antarctic Territory.
	The GSGSSI takes very seriously its responsibilities in restricting the impact of tourism on wildlife in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI). A strict permitting process is in place, and visits to the Islands require the permission of the Commissioner for SGSSI. No cruise ship may land passengers other than at Grytviken/King Edward Point without being a member of IAATO. All IAATO vessels follow the Antarctic Treaty Environmental Protocol guidelines while at GSSI. Expeditions to SGSSI are vetted by an independent panel of experts, which considers the potential impact on wildlife and the environment. The GSGSSI has banned the use of helicopters for the purpose of tourism, and any other flying is strictly regulated. The GSGSSI has closed many areas of South Georgia to tourists in order that wildlife should remain undisturbed.
	The UK has actively promoted measures to restrict the impact of tourism on Antarctic flora and fauna through the Antarctic Treaty System. These have included, for example, the development of Site Guidelines for visitors to key Antarctic tourism sites, and new requirements to ensure adequate insurance and search and rescue provision for Antarctic expeditions.

British Embassies (Overnight Visitors)

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what system is in place to log (a) day and (b) overnight visitors to the British embassies in (i) France, (ii) Germany, (iii) Iran, (iv) Italy, (v) Russia, (vi) Saudi Arabia, (vii) North Korea, (viii) Zimbabwe and (ix) the US.

Ian Pearson: pursuant to the reply, 2 December 2005, Official Report, c. 871W
	I regret that an inaccurate answer was given to part of the hon. Member's question, regarding the system for logging in visitors to the embassy in Saudi Arabia. The correct answer should read as follows:
	The embassy in Saudi Arabia: The embassy and residence are in the same compound. The names of guests at official events in the residence and overnight guests staying at the residence are recorded electronically. A log is not kept of other visitors to the embassy.

Building/Refurbishment Projects

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) building and (b) refurbishment projects are planned by his Department in (i) 200506 and (ii) 200607; and what the expected costs are of each project.

Kim Howells: Building and refurbishment projects planned/being undertaken by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 200506 and 200607, and the expected costs of these projects in those years are:
	
		000
		
			  Building projects FY 200506 FY 200607 
		
		
			 Algiers New offices 700 8,866 
			 Almaty New offices 100 3,100 
			 Amman New visa offices 820 400 
			 Astana New offices 100 3,661 
			 Baghdad New offices and staff accommodation 11,452  
			 Bangkok Staff accommodation 1,100 3,869 
			 Bangkok Security work 600  
			 Basra New offices and staff accommodation 9,263  
			 Chennai New visa offices 1,170 10 
			 Colombo New offices 500 5,600 
			 Doha New offices and residence 1,105 4,410 
			 Durban Office fit-out 159  
			 Dushanbe New offices and residence 764 5 
			 Hanslope Park, Bucks Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Building 3,148 17,637 
			 Hanslope Park, Bucks Childcare Nursery 250 500 
			 Hanslope Park, Bucks Security work 500 500 
			 Harare New offices 700 4,050 
			 Islamabad/Karachi Staff accommodation 3,211 2,289 
			 Istanbul New visa offices 100 2,900 
			 Jakarta New offices 100 2,151 
			 Kabul Office fit-out 200 273 
			 Kabul Residence and staff housing 2,700  
			 Kampala New offices 1,500  
			 Ljubjlana Residence 100 1,116 
			 Manila New offices 330 4,637 
			 Mumbai New offices 250 1,332 
			 Munich Office fit-out  1,500 
			 Pyongyang Office fit-out  500 
			 Rabat New offices 4,000 2,164 
			 Sana'a New offices 4,000 2,773 
			 Sarajevo New offices 200 600 
			 Shanghai Office fit-out 40  
			 Skopje Office fit-out 3,500  
			 Tbilisi New offices 20 2,000 
			 Tehran Staff accommodation  2,000 
			 Tirana Residence 1,263 20 
			 Warsaw New offices 500 9,500 
		
	
	
		000
		
			  Refurbishment projects FY 200506 FY 200607 
		
		
			 Belgrade Health and Safety works 36  
			 Buenos Aires Security work 600 1,100 
			 Buenos Aires Health and Safety works 2,700 163 
			 Damascus Security works 775  
			 Dublin Security works  1,800 
			 King Charles St Fourth floor conversion to open plan 5,630 3,162 
			 Kingston Health and Safety works 1,350 120 
			 Manila Health and Safety works 468 400 
			 Moscow Residence 301 4,010 
			 Ottawa Offices 175 1,000 
			 Tokyo Health and Safety works 290 1,150 
			 Washington Offices 410 5

Burma

Brian Binley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreignand Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations as the UK representative on the UN Security Council for that body to impose sanctions against Burma.

Ian Pearson: We encourage all the appropriate bodies of the United Nations (UN) to help bring about national reconciliation and respect for human rights and democracy in Burma. There is currently no agreement for imposing UN Security Council sanctions, but we continue to support any action in the UN Security Council which would help to promote reform and positive change in Burma.

China

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the social and political situation in China.

Ian Pearson: China is undergoing a period of rapid economic and social development. There have been improvements in recent years in the quality of life for most people living in China. But the Government remains concerned about the human rights situation in China. Through regular dialogue with the Chinese authorities, we encourage China to engage constructively with the international community on social issues and human rights and to institute political reforms to match economic growth.

Convergence Funds

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) counterparts in EU member states and (b) the European Commission regarding the future of convergence funds.

Douglas Alexander: We have discussed the financial perspectives, including the convergence objective, at Ministerial and/or official level with each and every EU member state, the two Accession states (Bulgaria and Romania), the European Commission and the European Parliament.

Correspondence/Parliamentary Questions

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Brent East, dated 28 April, regarding Mr.Andrew Papworth.

Kim Howells: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has no record of receiving a letter dated 28 April from the hon. Member. Officials have asked the hon. Member's office for a copy of the letter but no copy was held. A letter dated 14 December about the issues raised by the hon. Member's constituent, Mr. Papworth, was received in the FCO's Ministerial Support Unit that day. The hon. Member should expect a reply within 20 working days.

Correspondence/Parliamentary Questions

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when UK Visas will reply to the letter of 10 May from the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood regarding an application by Shahnaz Begum (B-C Islamabad reference 864696, date of birth 01/01/1971).

Kim Howells: UK Visas replied to my right hon. Friend's letter on 15 December. We are sorry for the delay, which was due to a filing error.

Correspondence/Parliamentary Questions

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) letters from hon. Members, (b) letters from members of the public and (c) parliamentary questions from (i) hon. Members and (ii) Lords were dealt with by his Department in each year since 1995 in respect of the percentage his Department took (A) more than one month and (B)more than three months to provide a substantive answer; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of Departments in replying to Members/Peers correspondence. The report for 2004 was published on 6 April 2005, Official Report, columns 13940WS. Reports for earlier years are available in the Library of the House.
	Information on letters from members of the public and on parliamentary questions in the form requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Cotton (Subsidies)

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts to co-ordinate pressure on the United States to cut subsidies to the cotton sector.

Douglas Alexander: We recognise the importance of cotton production for a number of developing countries, particularly Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali. World Trade Organisation (WTO) members in July 2004 agreed to deal with the issue of cotton
	ambitiously, expeditiously, and specifically, within the agricultural negotiations.
	Progress on cotton subsidies is an important litmus test of developed countries' development credentials within the WTO Round, including those of the EU. Failure to reach agreement on cotton will seriously damage prospects for the ambitious, pro-development outcome to the WTO Round that we are all seeking. We need an ambitious outcome on agriculture and this should include early implementation of the agreement on cotton.
	The United States (US) has clearly had the greatest influence on the world price for cotton, distorting the market both through domestic support and export subsidies, which together amount to around $3.9 billion a year. We have encouraged the US to implement rapidly the findings of the WTO Appeals Panel report, and will continue to do so.
	My right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade raised the issue of cotton subsidies during his statement on the WTO Round at the European Parliament's Plenary Session on 30 November. The EU has already agreed major reforms to the EU cotton sector in 2004. We are encouraging EU producers to decouple payments to the maximum extent possible.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the 2006 elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo are free and fair.

Ian Pearson: We and our international partners are urging the Congolese transitional Government and Independent Electoral Commission to stick closely to the agreed timetable for elections, to ensure that they are as transparent as possible and that they reflect the will of the Congolese people. We are encouraging all political parties to participate in the process.
	The UK has contributed 10 million to the United Nations (UN)-administered trust fund for elections, and will contribute 8 million to election security. Together with our international partners, we have secured $103 million of additional UN funding for UN peacekeeping force (MONUC) support to election logistics.

Departmental Consultants

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many civil servants in each grade have left his Department in each of the last three years to join consultancy firms; and which firm each joined.

Kim Howells: In many cases we do not know where staff go to work after they have left the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Where we do know, this information is not kept in consolidated form and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Staff

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreignand Commonwealth Affairs what steps are taken by his Department to support staff with mental ill-health.

Ian Pearson: All Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) staff have access to a full occupational health service provided by Capita Health Solutions through the FCO healthcare contract with International SOS. This includes advice on adjustments to working arrangements as appropriate.
	All FCO staff also have access to a confidential support and counselling service provided by an external employee assistance programme as well as access to professionally trained in-house welfare officers.

Detention Centres (US Flights)

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2005, Official Report, column 1647W, on detention centres (US flights), what information (a) he and (b) his officials have (i) received and (ii) sought about whether the United States transports detainees from one country to another for the purpose of questioning; and whether UK (A) air-space and (B) territory has been used in this process.

Kim Howells: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to the right hon. Member for North East Fife (Sir Menzies Campbell) on 12 December 2005, Official Report, columns 165253W.

Diplomatic Cars (Clamping)

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to clamp illegally parked diplomatic cars of countries who have refused to pay (a) parking fines and (b) the London congestion charge.

Kim Howells: No. The Government cannot introduce a policy of wheel clamping of diplomatic vehicles as this would be in breach of International Law. Article 31.1 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961 states that
	A diplomatic agent shall enjoy immunity from the criminal jurisdiction of the receiving State.
	Provision for exemption from wheel clamping is also made for owners of vehicles with D plates under Section 70 of the Road Traffic Act 1991.

Disability

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether a Minister in his Department is planned to be nominated to take responsibility for liaison with the Office for Disability Issues; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: I welcome the launch of the Office for Disability Issues. As Minister responsible for Human Resources in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will take responsibility for liaison with this new Office.
	The FCO looks forward to working with the Office for Disability Issues, in particular to ensure that we deliver the strategy set out in the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit report, Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People, and to deliver the new duties to promote disability equality set out in the Disability Discrimination Act (2005).

Disability

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the initial activity undertaken by his Department in response to those recommendations in the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit Report Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People where lead responsibility was assigned to all Government Departments.

Kim Howells: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) administration, in consultation with the FCO's Disability Action Group (a group of staff with an interest in disability, chaired by the Board Champion for Disability), is addressing the recommendations set out in the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit Report, Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People.
	Our goal is to be an employer of choice for disabled people by 2010. Our action plan and agreed priorities include:
	developing more transparent procedures for boarding and recruiting disabled officers;
	providing training for disabled staff and their line managers;
	securing more resources for reasonable adjustments;
	developing guidelines for line managers of disabled staff;
	participating in the Employers' Forum on Disability Benchmark;
	organising a Disability Awareness Week with a series of lunch time seminars.

Embassy Closures

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 10 November 2005, Official Report, column 744W, on embassy closures, if he will publish (a) a report of discussions about the closure of the embassies and (b) the cost-benefit analysis relating to the closure of each embassy.

Kim Howells: As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary said in his written ministerial statement of 15 December 2004 Official Report, columns 137140WS), changes to our overseas network to align our resources more effectively to our priorities were aimed at enhancing our effectiveness in representing British interests abroad, and helping to deliver an efficient service on behalf of the British taxpayer. It is not our practice to publish discussions about the closure of embassies.
	The benefits of the work of British embassies and missions are not quantifiable in cash terms. Decisions are made on the basis of where resources best meet the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's strategic priorities.

Eritrea/Ethiopia

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he plans to have with the Government of Eritrea on that country's expulsion of United Nations peacekeepers; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer Igave my hon. Friend for Stroud (Mr. Drew) today (UIN 36932).

Eritrea/Ethiopia

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what steps have been taken by his Department to advance the 2002 International Court ruling on Badme in the Eritrea-Ethiopia border demarcation dispute;
	(2)  what steps his Department has taken to support the implementation of paragraphs 1 and 2 of UN Resolution 1640 (2005) on Eritrea and Ethiopia;
	(3)  if the Government will support the Security Council's Resolution of 23 November threatening sanctions against both Eritrea and Ethiopia if they continue the deployment of troops on the Badme border; what sanctions are envisaged; and how soon after the specified 30 day redeployment period such sanctions will be enforced;
	(4)  if he will make a statement about recent progress in Ethiopia's implementation of the proposals of the International Arbitration Commission for its border with Eritrea.

Ian Pearson: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend for Stroud (Mr. Drew) on 13 December 2005, Official Report, columns 195152W).

Eritrea/Ethiopia

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the human rights situation on each side of the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: We are concerned about reports of serious human rights abuses which continue to occur in both Ethiopia and Eritrea. In Ethiopia these include the mass arrest of Opposition supporters and reports of harsh conditions and physical violence in the detention camps. We have called for an independent investigation of reports of lethal violence by security forces, which has cost many lives.
	In Eritrea the prolonged detention of members of religious minorities and the arrest of family members of those accused of evading military service are examples of serious and ongoing abuses.
	We raise these matters regularly in bilateral contacts with the governments concerned and in our capacity as EU Presidency. My noble Friend the Minister for Africa (Lord Triesman of Tottenham) did so most recently by letter to President Isaias on 6 October and with the ambassador of Eritrea on 18 October. He will also raise human rights directly with the Ethiopian Prime Minister when he visits Addis Ababa shortly.

EU Convergence Fund

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much Convergence Fund money would be allocated to West Wales and the Valleys under (a) the Luxemburg presidency's final budgetary proposals and (b) the UK presidency's budgetary proposals as presented on 5 December.

Douglas Alexander: Under the UK presidency's future financing proposal, tabled on 5 December, West Wales and the Valleys would receive the same level of convergence funding as under the final proposal made by Luxembourg in June this year. The exact sums involved will only be clearer if and when final agreement is reached on the EU's Financial Perspectives for 200713.

EU-Israel Association Agreement

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 5 December 2005, Official Report, column 1026W, on the EU-Israel Association Agreement, when he expects the proposed new EU-Israel working group on human rights to be convened; who will be represented on it; how often it will meet; whether its proceedings will be in public; whom it will report to; and how it will relate to the monitoring and implementation of the human rights obligations of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

Kim Howells: The EU and Israel agreed to establish a working group on human rights at the Political Dialogue and Co-operation sub committee on 21 November. The European Commission will be consulting Israel and member states on the modalities of the EU- Israel Human Rights Working Group with a view to a meeting taking place in the first quarter of 2006. Reinforcing our dialogue with Israel on human rights through this working group will also help to monitor the implementation of the relevant provisions of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

EU-Israel Association Agreement

David Lepper: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what circumstances the Government would support the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: We do not believe consideration should be given to suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The conflict between Israel and the Palestinians has caused and continues to cause suffering on both sides. We should not be looking at imposing sanctions on either side, but at supporting them to get back to a political process in order to reach a just and lasting negotiated settlement.

Guantanamo Bay

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the US Department of Defense decision to conduct the first war crimes trials at Guantanamo Bay with the power to impose the death penalty; what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on this; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The Military Commissions at Guantanamo Bay have been suspended, pending consideration of the Hamdan case by the United States (US) Supreme Court. This is not expected before early next year. The US Government have confirmed that they will not seek the death penalty for any of the nine terrorist suspects they have formally charged at Guantanamo Bay.
	The Government's views on the Military Commissions are well known. The Government expressed publicly their reservations about the Commission from July 2003 when two British nationals were designated for possible trial. They subsequently concluded that the Commissions did not meet the standards required for our nationals.
	My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not discussed the Commissions with my EU counterparts recently.

Guantanamo Bay

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations his Department has made to the US Administration concerning the release of prisoners from Guantanamo Bay.

Kim Howells: We discuss Guantanamo Bay with the United States (US) Government on a regular basis. The US Government is well aware of our continuing concerns over the conditions of detainees there.

Human Rights, Democracy and Good Governance Programme

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria are used to differentiate the support for the promotion of democracy from (a) human rights and (b) good governance under the Human Rights, Democracy and Good Governance Programme.

Ian Pearson: The Government consider the promotion of Human Rights, Democracy and Good Governance as interdependent and mutually reinforcing. The Foreign and Commonwealth Offices's approach to this task has been to mainstream this work throughout relevant Global Opportunities Fund (GOF) programmes. This includes the Sustainable Development programme (formerly Human Rights, Democracy and Good Governance), which incorporates the grant in aid to the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, as well as the Reuniting Europe, Engaging with the Islamic World and Economic Governance (formerly Emerging Markets) programmes. The criteria for supporting projects for the promotion of democracy under GOF programmes are to strengthen political parties, parliaments, civil society and other institutions of democracy; support increased participation by the disenfranchised, especially women, ethnic minorities and the disabled, in accordance with principles of equality, diversity and non-discrimination; and to promote freedom of expression that underpins the exercise of democracy. On human rights, the GOF programmes seek to support projects that combat torture, the death penalty and promote child rights. We seek to promote good governance by supporting projects that enhance the rule of law, e.g. to enhance separation of powers, independent and professional judiciaries and legal services, access to justice and independent complaint mechanisms, such as ombudsmen.

Identity Cards

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the (a) total and (b) net cost of (i) integrating the proposed identity card scheme into his Department's IT systems and (ii) the on-going operation of the scheme within his Department.

Douglas Alexander: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has kept in close touch with the Home Office over the ID card scheme. It is not possible to estimate the potential cost to the FCO until legislation has been completed and policy issues relating to use of or access to ID cards overseas have been clarified.

Illegal Fishing

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to prevent illegal fishing in the waters surrounding South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands deploys fishery patrol vessels and utilises remote sensing techniques to monitor fishing activities in the 200-nautical-mile maritime zone around South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, and to detect illegal vessels. It is believed that little illegal activity presently takes place in the zone, and that detection rates are high. An illegal vessel was arrested in the zone, successfully prosecuted and subsequently scuttled (in Falkland Islands' waters) by the South Georgia Government earlier this year.

Illegal Fishing

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost was in 200405 of (a) preventing illegal fishing and (b) maintaining sustainable fisheries in the waters surrounding (i) South Georgia and (ii) the South Sandwich Islands.

Douglas Alexander: South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands are accounted together as they are one territory.
	The current cost of preventing illegal fishing is about 2 million per annum. This figure consists of the cost of operating the fishery patrol vessel and other surveillance activity.
	The cost of maintaining sustainable fisheries is just under 2 million per annum. This figure includes 1 million to finance the British Antarctic Survey Fisheries Research Laboratory and support services at King Edward Point, a cost which is shared equally between the South Georgia Government and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The remainder is expended on other fisheries research and a fisheries observer programme.
	Thus the current annual expenditure on fisheries research, protection and management is nearly 4 million, excluding a significant proportion of the salaries paid to the permanent staff of the South Georgia Government, much of whose time is devoted to fisheries management.
	This compares to a total income from fishing licences of 3,101,890.

Illegal Fishing

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many fishermen were prosecuted for illegal fishing in UK waters around (a) South Georgia, (b) the South Sandwich Islands and (c) the British Antarctic Territory in each of the last eight years.

Douglas Alexander: There were no prosecutions for illegal fishing in waters within the South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands 200-nautical-mile Maritime Zone between 1997 and 2003 inclusive.
	Three prosecutions commenced in 2004 in relation to two separate vessels, and involving two defendants (limited companies). Appeals are pending in relation to two of the three resulting convictions. Two prosecutions took place in 2005 in relation to one vessel involving two defendants (one limited company and one individual). This last prosecution resulted in a conviction and a substantial fine. Following the failure of the vessel owners to pay the fine, the South Georgia Government seized the vessel and, after removing from it all potential pollutants, scuttled it in Falkland Islands' waters.
	The territorial waters around the British Antarctic Territory fall under the remit of the Antarctic Treaty and the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. Fishing in these waters is confined to Krill. No illegal fishing has been reported. No prosecutions have taken place.

Illegal Whaling

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many illegal whalers were prosecuted for activities in and around (a) the Antarctic, (b) South Georgia and (c) the South Sandwich Islands in each of the last eight years.

Douglas Alexander: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him today (UIN 36081). Whaling in waters adjacent to the Antarctic is regulated by the International Whaling Commission. We are not aware of any prosecutions in Antarctic waters.
	The Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands operates intensive fisheries surveillance/enforcement within its 200-nautical-mile maritime zone. Illegal whalers within the zone would therefore almost certainly be detected. There have been no recorded instances of whaling vessels in South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands waters, nor consequently any prosecutions in the last eight years.

Illegal Whaling

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to protect whales in and around (a) the Antarctic, (b) South Georgia and (c) the South Sandwich Islands.

Douglas Alexander: All great whale species are included in the moratorium on commercial whaling introduced by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in 198586. The Government strongly support the retention of the IWC moratorium. Scientific research whaling, which is permitted under the 1946 International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, is not covered by the moratorium. The Southern Ocean Sanctuary was established by the IWC in 1994 as a protected area for whales.
	Commercial whaling in the waters of the 200-nautical mile Maritime Zone of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is prohibited by the Fisheries (Conservation and Management) Ordinance 2000, as amended.

Iran

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made towards the return of British military equipment confiscated by the Iranians in the summer; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: We have pressed the Iranian authorities on numerous occasions, at both ministerial and senior official level, in Tehran and London, to return the boats and equipment they have detained since June 2004. Our discussions are on-going.

Israel

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met representatives of the Israeli Government to discuss Israel's commitment to phase 1 of the Roadmap; and if he will make a statement about Israel's progress to date.

Kim Howells: Since disengagement, both my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I have met with members of the Israeli Government to discuss progress on their Roadmap commitments. Israel remains committed to making progress against the Roadmap.
	We believe that there is an opportunity to build upon the current momentum created by disengagement and the Rafah Movement and Access Agreement.

Israel

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met representatives of the Israeli Government to discuss Israel's policy of home demolition.

Kim Howells: We are greatly concerned by the demolition of Palestinian homes and property. We most recently raised this issue on 6 December, when the British ambassador in Tel Aviv spoke to the director general of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressing our concerns over the proposal to reinstate the policy of punitive house demolitions. The ambassador also set out our concerns to the chief of general staff (Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz) on 8 December.

Israel

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact of the Israeli security barrier on the Palestinian economy.

Kim Howells: The routing of the separation barrier restricts the freedom of movement of both Palestinian people and goods in and around the West Bank. This has a detrimental effect on the Palestinian economy. We have made no specific assessment on the effects the barrier has on the Palestinian economy. We continue to raise this matter with the Israeli Government.

Israel

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 5 December 2005, Official Report, column 1028W, on Israel, if he will raise his concerns about the indiscriminate damage caused by low-flying aircraft in Gaza with the UN.

Kim Howells: Our voting record at the United Nations (UN) will continue to reflect our concerns regarding Israel's military actions in the Occupied Territories. The damage caused by the low flying aircraft is reported at the UN's monthly briefings. We have no plans to raise our concerns with the UN but we will continue to raise this with the Israeli Government. The ambassador in Tel Aviv raised this issue with the Israeli Defence Force Chief of General Staff on 8 December.

Longline Fisheries

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will take steps to reduce the use of longline fisheries in the waters around (a) South Georgia, (b) the South Sandwich Islands and (c) the British Antarctic Territory.

Douglas Alexander: The longline fishery for Patagonian toothfish around South Georgia provides the mainstay revenues for the Territory.
	The fishery is undertaken in a sustainable way, in line with Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and stringent conservation measures determined by an international body, the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). This year, CCAMLR agreed to a limited TAC of 100 tonnes for the South Sandwich Islands, linked to detailed scientific research, and a TAG for South Georgia of 3,556 tonnes.
	Vessel quotas and conservation measures are strictly enforced by the Government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, supported by a comprehensive programme of scientific research. All toothfish fisheries in the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) 200-nautical-mile Maritime Zone operate strict mitigating measures to minimise by-catch of non-target species. As a result of these efforts, the incidental catch of seabirds in these fisheries is virtually nil.
	The South Georgia toothfish fishery received official recognition for the sustainable way in which it is managed when it was awarded Marine Stewardship Council certification in March 2004. It is the only fisheryin the Southern Ocean to have received such certification.
	Given these factors, the Government see no need to change the method of fishing for toothfish in the waters around SGSSI.
	No longline fisheries are permitted in the waters adjacent to the British Antarctic Territory.

Mexico

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of (a) the relationship between Venezuela and Mexico, and (b) the effect of the decision to withdraw ambassadors.

Douglas Alexander: A disagreement between Mexico and Venezuela, including over a possible Free Trade Area of the Americas, has led to the withdrawal of their ambassadors from Caracas and Mexico City respectively. We consider this to be a bilateral issue between the two Governments.

Mockbul Ali

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what position in his Department Mr. Mockbul Ali was appointed to in the past five years; what the date was of the appointment; what its remit was; and what selection process was used in making the appointment.

Kim Howells: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not comment publicly on the contract of employment for individual members of staff.

Nigel Potter

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the US authorities about the case of Mr. Nigel Potter, ex-chief executive of Wembley plc.

Ian Pearson: We are aware of the passage of Mr.Potter's case through the US courts. Mr. Potter has legal representation. We are unable to directly interfere in the US Judicial process but we will continue to provide Mr. Potter with appropriate consular assistance.

Nuclear Missiles (Security)

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) of 27 October 2005, Official Report, column 522W, on nuclear missiles (security), if he will list the projects the United Kingdom supports under the Global Partnership; how much has been paid to each; and if he will make a statement on performance in improving material security.

Kim Howells: The Government have implemented a major portfolio of projects in Russia as part of the UK's contribution to the Global Partnership and details of all our projects are published in an annual report published every December. The 2005 report will be published on 21 December and copies placed in the Library of the House. Some 35 million was spent on UK Global Partnership nuclear projects in 200405 and forecast spend for 200506 is around 37 million. Many of the projects we support under the UK Global Partnership Programme contribute to the enhanced security of nuclear materials, including through the retraining of former weapons scientists and engineers and the associated creation of sustainable employment in the closed nuclear cities. Projects include work to ensure the safe and secure storage of around 20,000 Spent Nuclear Fuel Assemblies from nuclear submarines at Andreeva Bay, work to enhance the physical protection of civilian nuclear institutes and the training of guard commanders at key Russian nuclear establishments. We are working closely with other donor countries to co-ordinate work on improving material security at a number of sites across Russia, to determine priorities and ensure sustainable improvements are made from our grant-aid. We believe that our growing portfolio of nuclear security projects will substantially enhance the security of materials stored at facilities in Russia. Project specifications are agreed with Government experts in the UK's Office of Civil and Nuclear Security and implementation of projects closely monitored by private sector project managers.

Old Whaling Stations (Pollution)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to prevent pollution from old whaling stations from damaging the environment around (a) South Georgia, (b) the South Sandwich Islands and (c) the British Antarctic Territory.

Douglas Alexander: Work has recently been completed on the clean-up of the former whaling station at Grytviken, which now presents no hazard to wildlife or to those who visit or work in this area of South Georgia. However, the South Georgia Government are aware that the derelict whaling stations at Stromness, Husvik and Leith Harbour present similar hazards to those previously present at Grytviken, largely in the form of asbestos, heavy fuel oil and collapsing buildings. There are no whaling stations in the South Sandwich Islands.
	No funds are currently available to the South Georgia Government to carry out the clean-up of these other whaling stations, although it is hoped that it will be possible to undertake some of this work (mostly on the clean-up of heavy fuel oils) in the event of an increase in income from the licensing of fishing around South Georgia. Meanwhile, signs have been erected around the former whaling stations at Stromness, Husvik and Leith Harbour warning visitors not to approach within 200 metres of them due to the hazards presented by the asbestos and dangerous structures.
	The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) undertook clean-up work at the site of a former UK base (and former Norwegian whaling station) at Deception Island, South Shetland Islands in 1992. This work included the removal of 500 drums of waste fuel and debris. A further 45m 3 of waste, including asbestos and other hazards, was removed by BAS in April 2004.
	The site has now been designated as Historic Site and Monument (HSM) No. 71 under the Antarctic treaty, and forms part of the Deception Island Antarctic specially managed area. A conservation strategy for HSM 71 allows for the ongoing clean-up of debris resulting from the gradual deterioration of the buildings and other structures.

Old Whaling Stations (Pollution)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much has been spent in each of the last eight years on removing pollutants from the whaling stations and other whaling industry sites around (a) South Georgia, (b) the South Sandwich Islands and (c) the British Antarctic Territory.

Douglas Alexander: Work was carried out in 2003 and 2004 to remove hazardous substances, mainly asbestos but also including heavy fuel oils, from the whaling station at Grytviken, South Georgia; and to make the whaling station safe for visitors and those who work at Grytviken and King Edward Point. The total cost of the project was 6.7 million. This was met from South Georgia Government funds. Around 3,000 cubic metres of asbestos were safely removed and disposed of by burial on site. The work was carried out to full UK standards.
	There are no whaling stations in the South Sandwich Islands.
	The clean-up undertaken at Deception Island in 2004 was part of a wider clean-up of abandoned bases in the Antarctic Peninsula. The total cost of this work undertaken by the British Antarctic Survey during the 200304 austral summer at three sites, including Deception Island, was 434,000.

Overseas Missions

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list overseas missions of his Department which have closed since 1997; and on what date each (a) opened and (b) closed.

Kim Howells: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)has closed 26 overseas missions since 1997. The following table provides further details. In most cases, the financial year in which the post had opened or closed has been given because we do not keep a record centrally of more detailed information, and in any event there is not a clear date on which a mission closes. Like any well-run organisation, the FCO continues to realign its resources flexibly in line with UK interests.
	
		Overseas Missions Closed since 1997
		
			 Mission First opened Closed 
		
		
			 Barranquilla (Colombia) 1889 199798 
			 Zurich (Switzerland) 1887 199798 
			 Kuching (Malaysia) 1969 199899 
			 Chiang Mai (Thailand) 1884 199899 
			 Cleveland (USA) 1910 19992000 
			 Pusan (Korea Rep) 1970 19992000 
			 Seville (Spain) (37)pre 1852 200001 
			 Bamako (Mali) (38)1962 200304 
			 San Salvador (El Salvador) 1968 200304 
			 Tegucigalpa (Honduras) 1894 200304 
			 Managua (Nicaragua) 1894 200304 
			 Douala (Cameroon) 1992 200405 
			 Vientiane (Laos) 199596 200405 
			 Oporto (Portugal) (37)pre 1852 200405 
			 Tarawa (Kiribati) (39)1979 200405 
			 Maseru (Lesotho) (40)1965 200506 
			 Antananarivo (Madagascar) 1972 200506 
			 Mbabane (Swaziland) (40)1968 200506 
			 Nassau (Bahamas) (40)1973 200506 
			 Asuncion (Paraguay) 1854 200506 
			 Dallas (USA) 1969 200506 
			 Phoenix (USA) 1996 200506 
			 San Juan (USA) (37)(5508560038)pre 1852 200506 
			 Fukuoka (Japan) 1999 200506 
			 Port Vila (Vanuatu) 1980 200506 
			 Leipzig (Germany) 2001 200506 
		
	
	(37)Already listed in first Foreign Office list 1952.
	(38)Opened with locally engaged staff; 200001 regraded to a UK staff mission; 200102 regraded to an embassy.
	(39)Opened as a high commission which was closed 199394; 200102 reopened as a mission with locally engaged staff.
	(40)Following independence.
	(41)As dependency of Spain; as dependency of US from 1899.

Petrel Populations

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to protect the petrel populations around (a) South Georgia, (b) the South Sandwich Islands and (c) the British Antarctic Territory.

Jim Knight: I have been asked to reply.
	As a party to the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, the UK supports the Agreement Secretariat in its efforts to protect petrels throughout their range, which includes South Georgia, the South Sandwich Islands and the British Antarctic Territory.
	This year Defra have contributed additional project funding of 35,000 to support activities agreed at the first Advisory Committee Meeting of the Agreement. One such activity is the creation of a database of population status and trends for breeding sites, which will include South Georgia, the South Sandwich Islands and the British Antarctic Territories.
	In addition the joint Foreign and Commonwealth Office/Department for International Development's Overseas Territories Environment Programme has allocated 100,000 to the South Georgia Giant Petrel and White-chinned Petrel conservation programme.

Poland

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to seek the restitution of property owned by British subjects and taken by the Communist regime in Poland after the Second World War.

Kim Howells: There is currently no property restitution law in Poland. A draft law was under discussion in the previous Polish Parliament, prior to elections on 25 September 2005. The new Government will probably look at the issue anew, so it is unlikely that a new property restitution law will be agreed soon. It is possible to pursue claims through the Polish courts, but the British embassy in Warsaw does not have sufficient resources to assist individual cases. A list of English-speaking lawyers is, however, provided on request. We have lobbied the previous Polish Government to improve the law in the area of property restitution on behalf of all British citizens with claims, and we will do the same with the new Government.

Private Military Companies

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Horwood) of 2 December 2005, Official Report, column 879W, on private military companies, what the duration is of the contracts with (a) ArmorGroup and (b) Control Risks Group; whether the contracts specify particular locations; and whether they include employment of local labour.

Kim Howells: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has two security contracts with Amorgroup Services. The first is for an armed guarding force in Iraq, which expires on 30 June 2006. The second is for close protection teams in Afghanistan, which expires in December 2005 but has an option to extend for two years.
	The FCO has three security contracts with Control Risks Group. One is for close protection teams in Iraq, which expires on 30 June 2006. The second provides armed guarding forces in Saudi Arabia, which expires in September 2006 but has an option to renew for one year. The third is to provide guard forces for our missions in Beijing, Hong Kong, Cairo and Moscow, which expires in September 2006 but has an option to extend for two years.
	The contracts do not refer to the employment of local labour but both companies employ local nationals to support their operations.
	The Iraq security contracts are due to be re-tendered next year.

Public Appointments

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the former hon. Members who left Parliament in 2005 who have since been appointed to public bodies by his Department, broken down by party; and who was responsible for making each appointment.

Kim Howells: Joyce Quin (Labour Party) was appointed to the Wilton Park Academic Council in November 2005 by my noble Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Lord Triesman of Tottenham).

Saddam Hussein

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance the UK Government have given the Iraqi court conducting the trial of Saddam Hussein.

Kim Howells: The Government have provided capacity building training to the Iraqi High Tribunal (formerly known as the Iraqi Special Tribunal) in international law and procedures for trial judges, prosecutors and investigators. The Government also funded the visit of a witness protection expert in August 2005 and contributed to an international fund to provide an International Special Adviser to the trial chamber.

Sierra Leone

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on (a) the security situation and (b) the strength of democratic institutions in Sierra Leone.

Ian Pearson: The overall security situation in Sierra Leone is generally calm, but fragile. We agree with the United Nations (UN) assessment that the situation is sufficiently improved to allow the full departure of the UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) by the end of 2005. There has been progress on improving the training, leadership and professionalism of the Sierra Leone army and police forces. A UK-led International Military Assistance and Training Team (IMATT) has aided much of this reform by close co-operation with the army, and will remain in Sierra Leone until at least 2010. They currently have approximately 100 personnel in country. We have also provided support to the police in a training and reform programme, which has left them better able to deal with internal security. Following the arrest of opposition leader Mr. Charles Margai, the police have so far dealt in a competent and low-key way with resulting public disturbances.
	Sierra Leonean institutions remain generally weak and lacking in capacity. Much has been achieved since the end of hostilities in 2002, but much work remains. An Anti-Corruption Commission is functioning well. A civil service reform programme is under way. Local councils exist, but lack capacity and resources. The judiciary is overstretched and under-resourced. Parliament lacks the necessary resources to allow it to exercise full powers of oversight. The UK is assisting in the development of democratic institutions, including assistance to the judiciary and police through a 25 million project, assistance to the civil service reform programme and wide-ranging governance and anti-corruption support. But the 11 years of civil war have left enormous deficits in institutional capacity, which is slow to recover.

Sierra Leone

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the personal security and freedom of Charles Margai, opposition leader in Sierra Leone.

Ian Pearson: Mr. Charles Margai, leader of the Peoples Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) was arrested on 7 December, and transferred to Bo for legal proceedings to begin. He was bailed by Bo Magistrates Court on 8 December. His court hearing is scheduled for 16 December. The charges relate to incidents on 18 November in Bo, when supporters of Mr. Margai clashed with the entourage of Solomon Berewa, the Vice President.
	We have called on all parties, their leaders and supporters in Sierra Leone to act moderately and responsibly, and to avoid any actions or statements that could intensify the situation. We further hope that the court proceedings against Mr. Margai will proceed swiftly, and according to due process. Through our high commission in Freetown we remain in close touch with all parties, including those acting in Mr. Margai's defence, and we continue to monitor developments closely.

Sir Christopher Meyer

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 28 November 2005, Official Report, columns16466W, on Sir Christopher Meyer, if he will place in the Library copies of (a) all relevant correspondence from (i) Sir Christopher Meyer and (ii) his publishers and (b) the responses to that correspondence.

Kim Howells: Copies of the correspondence between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and SirChristopher Meyer and between the Cabinet Office and his publishers about his book have been placed in the Library of the House.

South East Asia

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to encourage the protection of religious freedoms in South East Asia.

Ian Pearson: The promotion of human rights, including freedom of thought, conscience and religion, is central to our foreign policy. We condemn instances where individuals are persecuted because of their faith or belief, wherever they happen and whatever the religion of the individual or group concerned.
	Where states fail to implement their obligations under international human rights law, we consider what action we can take on a case-by-case basis and we continue to raise our concerns in relevant international fora. Both bilaterally and with our EU partners, we regularly raise specific cases of religious persecution with the governments concerned, and take every opportunity to urge states to pursue laws and practices which foster tolerance and mutual respect and to protect religious minorities against discrimination, intimidation and attacks.
	We take every appropriate opportunity to press the governments in the region to adhere to their international human rights obligations and to guarantee the right of all religious groups to practice their faith freely.

Sudan

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the current situation in the Darfur region of Sudan; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: We remain very concerned about the situation in Darfur. In his latest report, the United Nations Secretary General notes that while there have been fewer attacks between the parties, the security situation remains poor. Banditry and lawlessness are rife, and continue to hamper the delivery of humanitarian supplies, particularly in south and west Darfur. We have made clear that this violence, and particularly attacks on humanitarian workers, are unacceptable. We are encouraging anyone with information on the perpetrators to pass it to the relevant bodies for consideration under United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1591 and 1593.
	We continue to press the parties to rein in their fighters and to reach a political agreement. The seventh round of Darfur peace talks began in Abuja on 29 November. The UK fully supports the African Union-led mediation team and has provided financial and technical assistance to the talks. We also plan to maintain our observer presence throughout the talks.

Sugar Regime

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact that the new EU reductions in sugarsubsidies will have on Caribbean (a) agricultural economies and (b) Caribbean communities in other countries.

Douglas Alexander: We recognise the consequences that the reforms to the EU Sugar Regime agreed at the 24 November Agriculture Council may have on some African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) sugar producers with preferential access to the EU market. However, we welcome the overall agreement in the broader context of reforming the EU's Common Agricultural Policy and the benefits this will bring to many developing countries. Furthermore, the sugar reforms will see a smaller price cut and a longer adjustment period than originally proposed. This will give the ACP a better opportunity to adapt to the reforms.
	The EU will provide transitional assistance to help ACP producers improve their efficiency in the sugar sector where feasible or diversify into more profitable sectors. Ensuring that credible and timely transitional assistance is in place remains a priority for the UK.
	In September 2003, the Department for International Development (DfID) commissioned consultants (LMC International Ltd) to produce an independent report into the impact that EU sugar reform would have by 2015 on the ACP countries that are party to the Sugar Protocol. This work was updated in June 2005, after the Commission put forward its proposals but before agreement was reached on the shape of the reforms. It therefore assumes a 39 per cent. price cut rather than the actual 36 per cent.
	More recent assessments have been carried out by European Commission funded consultants, who again assumed a 39 per cent. price cut. For example, in Jamaica the consultants concluded that this would reduce the value of sugar export revenues from 6.9 per cent. of total exports to 4.9 per cent. and reduce GDP by 0.8 per cent. over four years.
	My noble Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Parliamentary Under-secretary of State, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, discussed the impact of reform of the EU sugar regime on the Caribbean at a meeting in London in October with members of the Caribbean British Business Council, which represents British businesses with interests in the Caribbean. The subject was also discussed at the UK Caribbean Business Forum in London in June, which brought together Ministers and leading businessmen from the UK and the Caribbean.
	Currently, DFID is working with Caribbean countries affected by the reforms to help them draw up the country plans through which the EU's transitional assistance will be delivered.

Sugar Regime

Derek Conway: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether discussions are under way with the EU to determine the criteria that will be used to determine how much Caribbean sugar protocol nations will receive from the euro transitional assistance budget proposed to ease the impact of the reduction in sugar prices over the next four years.

Douglas Alexander: There have been some preliminary discussions about how to allocate transitional assistance for Africa Caribbean and Pacific countries to adjust to sugar reforms. The Commission have said that allocations will be based on the needs of each country, in particular on the impact of the reform on the sugar sector in the country concerned and on the relative importance of the sugar sector in the economy. The Caribbean countries involved are working to develop their country plans to determine how assistance could best be used. Given the impact that sugar reform will have on some of the Caribbean countries involved, they should be well placed to qualify for their fair share of assistance under the criteria the Commission are developing.

Sugar Regime

Derek Conway: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he took to ensure that the concerns of British businesses with interests in Jamaica, Guyana and Belize were taken into account in the reform of the EU sugar regime.

Douglas Alexander: My noble Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Lord Triesman of Tottenham), discussed the impact of reform of the EU sugar regime on the Caribbean at a meeting in London in October with members of the Caribbean British Business Council, which represents British businesses with interests in the Caribbean. The subject was also discussed at the UK Caribbean Business Forum in London in June, which brought together Ministers and leading businessmen from the UK and the Caribbean. Our high commissions in the region have also maintained regular contact with such businesses.

Sugar Regime

Derek Conway: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether an impact study was carried out on the crime and security implications for the UK of the decision to cut sugar prices in Caribbean nations known to be tran-shipment points for narcotics and small arms to the UK.

Douglas Alexander: Through our contacts with Governments, business and civil society in the Caribbean, we are aware that a reduction in the EU sugar price will have social consequences for those deriving an income from sugar production. That is why the EU will provide transitional assistance to help Caribbean producers improve their efficiency in the sugar sector where feasible or diversify into more profitable sectors. Ensuring that credible and timely transitional assistance is in place remains a priority for the UK. The Department for International Development (DFID) are collaborating with the World Bank to assess the implications of the EU reforms.
	DFID, Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence continue to assist Caribbean Governments and their security and law enforcement agencies in their fight against drugs trans-shipment and organised crime.

Tactica Vehicles

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what export licences have been granted for the export to Indonesia of (a) Tactica vehicles and (b) spare parts for Tactica vehicles since 1 May 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The UK is committed to maintaining one of the most rigorous and transparent arms export control systems in the world. Information on export licensing decisions is published by destination in the Government's Annual and Quarterly Reports on Strategic Export Controls, available at http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPagec=Pagecid=109103717l526. The Government cannot provide information on the suppliers of specific exports, as this would breach commercial confidentiality.

Tortured Detainees

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to other EU Governments on investigating allegations that detainees held by other states may have been tortured in their countries.

Kim Howells: holding answer 14 December 2005
	My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has discussed these allegations with his EU counterparts. Following those discussions, heas EU presidencywrote to the US Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice, about the allegations. The US Secretary of State issued a public statement on this subject on 5 December, and sent a copy of that statement to my right hon. Friend on 6 December by way of reply to his letter. He has communicated this response to his EU counterparts.

Travel Costs

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the additional cost of (a) his and (b) his officials' early return from Moscow to permit him to vote in the proceedings in the Terrorism Bill.

Douglas Alexander: pursuant to the reply, 16 November 2005, Official Report, c.1268W
	Regarding the total cost of the charter aircraft, the charter company has now informed us that the total cost of the charter was 96,400, which included an additional 28,200 for diverting through the UK on 9 November, 2,000 less than given in my reply.

UN Convention Against Corruption

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 2 December 2005, Official Report, column 881W, on the UN Convention Against Corruption, if he will list the organisations his Department met to discuss the convention; and on what dates each meeting took place.

Ian Pearson: Discussions on the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) have formed part of the regular contact between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and a wide range of external stakeholders with an interest in anti-corruption issues. It would be impossible in practice to provide a comprehensive list of all such contacts with every stakeholder since the negotiations for UNCAC began. The principal contacts on this issue have been with the Department for International Development, the Home Office, Transparency International and business associations such as the Confederation of British Industry and the International Chamber of Commerce.

UN Convention Against Corruption

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 2 December 2005, Official Report, column 881W, on the UN Convention Against Corruption, if he will place in the Library the minutes of the meetings his Department held with the International Chamber of Commerce and the Confederation of British Industry at which the convention was discussed.

Ian Pearson: Discussions on the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) have formed part of the many contacts between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the International Chamber of Commerce and the Confederation of British Industry, as well as with NGOs and many other interested parties. Even where fully recorded, it would be inappropriate to reveal the content of contacts that were intended to remain confidential between the parties involved.

UN Convention Against Corruption

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library the representations he has received from (a) businesses, (b) business organisations and (c) non-governmental organisations on the UK signing and ratification of the UN Convention Against Corruption.

Ian Pearson: I refer the hon. Member to the reply Igave today (UIN 36843).

UN Firearms Protocol

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will ratify the UN Firearms Protocol.

Douglas Alexander: The Government remains committed to ratifying the United Nations (UN) Firearms Protocol. However the UK and other EU member states believe that, as first step, the European Weapons Directive needs to be amended to bring it into line with the UN Firearms Protocol. We are working with the European Commission and EU member states to achieve this.

UN Security Council

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department has taken during the UK presidency of the EU to promote European consensus on reform of the UN Security Council.

Kim Howells: At the United Nations (UN) World Summit in September, the EU agreed on the need to reform the main UN bodies, including the Security Council, to enhance the representativeness, transparency and efficiency of the UN system. Given strongly held views among EU partners on how the Security Council should be reformed, there is no EU consensus on a particular model of reform.

UN Security Council

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on reform of the UN Security Council.

Kim Howells: At the United Nations (UN) 2005 World Summit, all 191 member states agreed that reform of the Security Council was an essential element of the overall UN reform agenda. The UK has long-supported such reform to ensure that the work of the Security Council is more representative, effective and transparent. At a Foreign and Commonwealth Office event marking the 60th anniversary of the UN in June, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, reiterated the Government's position that
	we want to see a Security Council which reflects today's world and the contributions of the UN's members to its objectives. The UK therefore supports the expansion of both the permanent and non-permanent membership, with permanent representation for Japan, Germany, India and Brazil, and for Africa.
	The UK is also committed to enhancing the Security Council's working methods, including holding more Council discussions in public, expanding the involvement of interested countries, and holding more frequent meetings with troop contributing countries.

UN Standing Fund

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had regarding the establishment of a standing fund within the UN to allow it to respond more effectively to emergencies.

Gareth Thomas: I have been asked to reply.
	At the UN Millennium Review summit (MRS) in September (2005 in New York), my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for International Development (Hilary Benn) argued for support from other donor countries for a revised and expanded UN Central Emergency Revolving Fund (CERF), and along with the UK, six other countries pledged annual donations (Sweden $40 million, Netherlands $12 million, Ireland $12 million, Switzerland $4 million, Luxembourg $4 million, and Norway $30 million over two years).
	Since the summit, my right hon. Friend and I have raised this in a number of meetings including the EU Informal Humanitarian Aid Committee in October.
	The Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting in November, and the informal meeting of EU Development Ministers in Leeds in October.
	Senior officials have discussed the CERF during meetings in recent months with interested donors such as the US (in October) and New Zealand (in November). My right hon. Friend has also written to non-traditional donors. British embassies have lobbied for support from Argentina, Brazil, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Mexico and Qatar. The CERF was discussed when my right hon. Friend met the NGO consortium British Overseas Aid Group recently, and officials have covered the CERF during recent wider discussions on the reform package with the NGO community.

Venezuela

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the relationship between Venezuela and Bolivia, with particular reference to reports of Venezuelan interference in Bolivian domestic politics.

Douglas Alexander: We are aware of recent allegations of Venezuelan interference in Bolivian domestic politics, including comments made by the Venezuelan Charge d'affaires in Bolivia, and continue to monitor the situation. We consider this issue is first and foremost a bilateral matter between the two countries.

Venezuela

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effects of Venezuela selling oil to Caribbean and Central American countries at concessionary rates; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: We are following Venezuela's oil agreements with a number of countries and other parties with close interest. It is up to those involved to assess whether the terms involved make sense or notsome have chosen to accept the terms, others have not. It will be some time before the full economic and political impact of these agreements is seen.

Venezuela

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effects of Venezuela offering free medical treatment to patients in a number of Caribbean countries; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: We welcome any constructive efforts to enhance the delivery of healthcare in the Caribbean region where there are a number of real needs. In this respect, free medical treatment is most welcome.

Venezuela

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the relationship between Venezuela and the United States of America, with particular reference to the sale of discounted heating oil to Massachusetts by Venezuela.

Douglas Alexander: Bilateral relations between Venezuela and the United States (US) are a matter for the two countries concerned.
	We understand that Citgo Petroleum Corporation, a US registered company owned by the Venezuelan Government, is providing discounted oil to low-income communities in the US, including in New York and Massachusetts. A US State Department spokesman has recently commented that the US regards this as an
	issue of an American company helping American people, which is good and right and proper.

Venezuela

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of (a) relations between Venezuela and Jamaica and (b) the implications of those relations for (i) UK-Venezuela relations, (ii) UK-Jamaican relations and (iii) the wider region.

Douglas Alexander: We understand that relations between Venezuela and Jamaica are good and have recently been enhanced by an agreement signed between them under the PetroCaribe Agreement. We do not believe that this relationship has made any significant difference to the good relations we have with Jamaica or Venezuela, or to relations within the Caribbean.

Venezuela

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely effect on the Venezuelan agricultural sector of Venezuela joining Mercosur; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: Although an announcement on Venezuelan membership of Mercosur has been made, it is not yet clear what the practical implications of this will be. Therefore, we cannot at this stage make any judgments about specific sectoral impact, namely the agricultural sector. We understand that the European Commission, on behalf of the EU, is currently reviewing the situation, and will continue to do so as more information becomes available.

Venezuela

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely effect of Venezuela's membership of Mercosur on the Free Trade Area of the Americas.

Douglas Alexander: Although an announcement on Venezuelan membership of Mercosur has been made, it is not yet clear what the practical implications of this will be. Therefore, it is not currently possible to make an assessment of the effect of Venezuelan membership of Mercosur on the proposal for a Free Trade Area of the Americas.

Zimbabwe

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the account of the situation in Zimbabwe given on 7 December by the UN Under-Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs; and what action he is proposing to take in the United Nations as a result.

Ian Pearson: We share Mr. Egeland's, United Nations (UN) Under-Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs, concern following his visit to Zimbabwe that the humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe is extremely serious and worsening. We regret that instead of accepting UN assistance, President Mugabe has chosen to vilify the UN and Mr. Egeland following that visit. The Government of Zimbabwe must shift, in the interests of all Zimbabweans, from a policy of confrontation to a policy of co-operation with the international community, including with the UN.
	Mr. Egeland briefed the UN Security Council on 19 December on humanitarian issues in Africa, at which the UK raised the issue of Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures his Department is taking both bilaterally and within international organisations to support the movement for democratic change in Zimbabwe.

Ian Pearson: The Government does not support any political party in Zimbabwe. We do support all those working for peaceful democratic change, including non-governmental organisations, human rights activists, lawyers and civil society groups. We also work closely with the United Nations and our international partners to address the political and economic crisis in Zimbabwe, to help provide for Zimbabweans' basic needs such as food and healthcare, and to help restore democratic norms, including the rule of law, human rights, freedom of speech, freedom of association, an independent media, and Government accountability.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Asian Tsunami

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether the commitment by the Foreign Secretary of 3 January 2005 that the Government would match those funds donated by the public to the Asian tsunami fund has been honoured in full; and how the Government's matched funds have been spent.

Gareth Thomas: The UK Government have allocated the equivalent of around 290 million to disaster relief and reconstruction in the Tsunami-affected countries. Funds donated by the public to the Disasters Emergency Committee have totalled some 450 million.
	Government funding can be broken down into:
	75 million of our bilateral funds to the humanitarian relief effort;
	an additional 65 million to the longer-term reconstruction phase;
	an estimated 50 million through tax relief on public donations made through the Gift Aid Scheme;
	contributions through the European Community (EC). The EC has already committed 123 million in humanitarian assistance and up to 350 million for longer-term reconstruction. The UK's share of this would be approximately 55 million;
	debt relief. Following the tsunami, the UK announced that Sri Lanka would be eligible for the UK's multilateral debt relief initiative (MDRI). Under this initiative, the UK will pay our share (10 per cent. or around 45 million) of Sri Lanka's debt service costs to the World Bank until 2015.
	DFID has provided two consultants to work with the authorities and partners in Aceh Indonesia.
	Reconstruction will take many years to complete and funds will be programmed accordingly. The priority now is to ensure that funds already committed by the UK and other donors are effectively spent. The Government are working closely with the governments of Indonesia and Sri Lanka on the longer-term reconstruction effort. The UK Government will not provide financing in excess of need. The Government will continue to keep under review the financing needs of the tsunami-affected countries.

Biosafety Protocol

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations he has made to the United Nations about the application of the Biosafety Protocol to biotechnology companies whose products may cause environmental damage.

Gareth Thomas: Neither myself nor my right. hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for International Development (Hilary Benn) have made any representations to the United Nations of this kind.
	The Biosafety Protocol is an international treaty, which applies to countries that have signed and ratified it. Parties to the Protocol may introduce national legislation which relates to the activities of biotechnology companies in their countries.
	The UK, in line with the European Union (EU), has implemented the Biosafety Protocol within its domestic legislation and this legislation applies to companies which operate within the EU.

Biosafety Protocol

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations he has made to (a) the United States, (b) Argentina and (c) Canada regarding their ratification of the Biosafety Protocol.

Elliot Morley: I have been asked to reply.
	We have regular contacts with the US, Canadian and Argentinean Administrations on a wide range of international environmental issues, including the importance of having the broadest possible membership of Cartagena Protocol. Officials have, for example, recently been in touch with their counterparts in Argentina to explore their latest plans to ratify the Protocol. The Government's view is that we need to encourage more countries to ratify the Protocol, especially major agricultural exporters, such as the United States, Canada and Argentina. If agricultural exporters fail to sign up to the Protocol, the global status of GM products approved in those countries that have not signed the Protocol will be uncertain, and confidence in the safety of the products of new biotechnology will suffer.

Brazil

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the effects of Soya planting in Brazil on local communities in Parana.

Gareth Thomas: DFID has not made any assessment of the effects of Soya planting on local communities in Parana. Parana is a small state in the south of Brazil. DFID's programme has focused on the poorest areas of the country, particularly the North and Northeast, and on national level initiatives.
	The rural economy in Parana is characterised by small family-run farms. Soya cultivation, on the other hand, is generally highly mechanised and managed by wealthy large scale producers. A switch to Soya production could therefore lead to an increase in rural unemployment and further migration to urban areas.

Burundi

Eric Joyce: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support the UK has provided to the demobilisation process in Burundi.

Hilary Benn: The UK is a major contributor to the Multi-Country Demobilisation and Re-integration Programme (MDRP), a World Bank-managed regional programme which provides the framework for demobilisation and re-integration activities in the Great Lakes Region, including Burundi. We have committed $25 million to the MDRP and have funded a number of complementary activities in Burundi. To date, over 19,458 combatants, including child soldiers, have been demobilised.

Central Asia (Aid)

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans he has for UK bilateral aid to (a) Tajikistan and (b) Kyrgzystan between 200506 and 200708.

Gareth Thomas: In 200506, DFID has committed 3 million to Tajikistan and 5.6 million to the Kyrgyz Republic in bilateral aid. In addition, we have agreed a 7 million contribution to a 5 year multi-donor programme of support to the health sector in the Kyrgyz Republic, the first 3 million of which we hope to disburse in 200506. We have also committed 6.4 million to a regional programme to combat HIV/AIDS in Tajikistan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan between 200506 and 200809. This includes 1.8 million in bilateral support to each country and a 1 million contribution to a World Bank regional project.
	DFID has not yet finalised bilateral aid allocations for 200607 and 200708. We plan to increase our allocations to Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic, which are the two poorest countries in Central Asia. We have strengthened the DFID office in the Kyrgyz Republic and are doing so in Tajikistan, to enable us to engage more effectively with governments and donors and to increase the scope and impact of our programmes.

Child Soldiers

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance his Department provided to charities for the rehabilitation of child soldiers in Sierra Leone and other African countries in the last five years.

Hilary Benn: DFID has funded a range of charities and UN agencies supporting the rehabilitation of child soldiers in Africa over the last five years. In Sierra Leone all child combatants were disarmed as part of the extensive Disarmament Demobilisation and Re-integration (DDR) process undertaken at the end of the war. DFID provided 12.4 million in support of this programme. DFID recognises the problems faced by former child combatants in re-integrating back into their communities and we have previously provided funding to support skills training and other activities for child ex-combatants. DFID has in the past, provided core funding to the Office of the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (OSRSG/CAAC) whose programme has included advocacy work using ex-child combatants. More broadly across Africa as a whole we have funded the following organisations:
	Rwanda
	Save the Children study into improving conditions for girl soldiers in DDR processes20,000.
	Uganda
	Support to war affected children and youth in northern Uganda through a variety of organisations, including Save the Children, GUSCO (a local NGO) and UNICEF. This includes direct support to former child soldiers650,000.
	The Democratic Republic of Congo (PRO
	UNICEFLaunch of the Programme for the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) of Children associated with armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo750,000.
	Central Africa
	UK contribution to Great Lakes Multi-Country Demobilisation and Reintegration Programme. Covers Angola, the DRC, Burundi, Rwanda, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo and Uganda. Child soldiers will be included within these activities. $25 million over five years. Approximately 14 million.
	Sudan
	UNICEF: Child soldier disarmament, demobilisation and the return, reunification and reintegration of vulnerable children505,000.
	Preparatory Support Programme for DDR in Sudan. This will include a major focus on children associated with fighting forces2 million.
	Liberia
	UNICEF Liberia education and Re-integration for Children Associated with he Fighting Forces402,500.
	Liberia Disarmament, Demobilisation, Rehabilitation and Re-integration Programme. Child soldiers will be included within these activities3 million.

Commission for Africa

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when he will implement the findings of the Commission for Africa, published in March with particular reference to trade justice rather than liberalisation; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The Commission for Africa (CfA) was established in February 2004 and provided an opportunity to take a fresh look at Africa's past and present and the international community's role, and agree recommendations on the future. When the Prime Minister launched the CfA report on 11 March 2005, he committed to reflecting its recommendations in policy, and since then many of the recommendations have been reflected in commitments made by the G8 at Gleneagles and by the UN at the Millennium Review summit.
	The G8 recognised the importance of a successful outcome to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Doha Development Agenda (DDA) to generate growth and create the conditions for development. The WTO ministerial conference in Hong Kong represents an important opportunity to deliver real gains for developing countries. The UK Government are working to ensure that there is appropriate flexibility in the DDA negotiations to allow poor countries to decide, plan and sequence their economic reforms in line with their national programmes and priorities for development.
	Developing countries should not be forced to open up their markets, either through trade negotiations, whether bilateral, multilateral or otherwise, or through aid conditionality, but should be allowed to choose the best policies for poor people and the environment.
	Trade justice also requires a stronger link between trade and development. Many developing countries cannot take advantage of new trade opportunities resulting from more open markets because of significant human, institutional and infrastructural constraints. The UK is supporting a number of initiatives recommended by the CfA report which will help countries to overcome these constraints. The Department for International Development has committed to increase Aid For Trade to 100 million by 2010; has pledged $20 million to the Africa Infrastructure Consortium, to facilitate more effective infrastructure investments to promote economic growth and trade; and has committed $30 million over three years to the Investment Climate Facility, of which one area of focus will be to improve the efficiency of customs administrations across Africa.
	The G8 endorsed commitments to increase funding for trade related capacity building. The UK continues to support this, providing assistance to African Governments and sub-regional institutions to develop and negotiate trade policy, for example with regards to WTO or EU Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA).

Consultants

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what mechanisms are in place to assess the effectiveness of consultant-led projects in his Department; what sanctions are available to penalise consultants who run unsuccessful projects; how many projects conducted by consultants were assessed as unsuccessful in each year since 2000; and what sanctions were imposed.

Hilary Benn: All DFID's contracts contain clear and explicit terms of reference drawn-up and agreed with our partners. The consultants performance is monitored, to ensure contracted services make their intended contribution to project outcomes.
	No payments to consultants are made until DFID is satisfied with their output. If problems arise, the consultants are given the opportunity to take corrective action. If DFID remains dissatisfied, payment of received invoices is withheld and if necessary the contract would be terminated. Over the last three years, approximately five payments have been withheld. DFID has sole rights of termination which we have exercised on two occasions due to poor performance since 2000. DFID may also require the replacement, at no extra cost, of non-performing team members. If problems occur remedial action is usually satisfactory.

Consultants

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department takes to ensure that consultancies do not claim excessive expenses while working for the Department and its agencies.

Hilary Benn: A financial costing is agreed for each consultancy contract. Invoices are paid in arrears and are monitored to ensure costs comply with the contract. Random audit checks are also carried out.

Darfur

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when he last discussed the situation in Darfur with his Sudanese counterpart; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: I remain very concerned about the situation in Darfur,, When I visited Sudan in June 2005 I held detailed discussions with members of the Sudanese Government, including Vice President Taha and the then Minister for Humanitarian Affairs as well as representatives from the African Union and NGOs. Most recently, I discussed Darfur with the presidential adviser, Bona Malwal, in London on 30 November.
	In his latest report, the UN Secretary General notes that while there have been fewer attacks between the parties, the security situation remains very poor. Banditry and lawlessness are rife, and continue to hamper the delivery of humanitarian supplies, particularly in South and West Darfur. We have made clear that this violence, and particularly attacks on humanitarian workers, are entirely unacceptable. We are encouraging anyone with information on the perpetrators to pass it to the relevant bodies for consideration under United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1591 and 1593.
	We continue to press the parties to rein in their fighters and to reach a political agreement. The seventh round of Darfur peace talks began in Abuja on 29 November. The UK fully supports the AU-led mediation team and has provided financial and technical assistance to the talks. We also plan to maintain our observer presence throughout the talks.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Eric Joyce: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Government have taken to ensure the transparency and accountability of World Bank funds channelled through the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Hilary Benn: The World Bank's financial support to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is provided in accordance with the Bank's fiduciary standards. Funds given to the Government of the DRC as budget support are clearly registered as such in the budget and will have a specific budget line if they are for a particular programme or activity. Tracking and monitoring of the funds is done through the DRC's Public Expenditure Management Reform programme, which includes the requirement to publish monthly execution reports. There is specific reporting on the use of external contributions to the budget (e.g. World Bank budget support and Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) funds) and on areas such as health and education components to particularly track expenditures in these priority sectors.
	The World Bank is working with the Government of the DRC to improve overall public financial management, for example through promoting the implementation of a fully computerised public accounting system complying with international standards, strengthening the role and capacity of government financial control institutions and reforming the public financial management education programme.
	The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund are also working with the Government to improve the composition and efficiency of spending, in particular on health, education and rural development services that benefit the poor, to ensure that the authorities are able to spend increased resources (including from debt relief) efficiently and effectively.
	DFID's office in Kinshasa works closely with the World Bank in promoting development and poverty reduction in the DRC. We monitor the reports from the World Bank on expenditure tracking and we also monitor progress on improvements in public expenditure management through discussions with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). We also use the UK's seat on the World Bank board in Washington to stay actively involved with the composition and performance of the World Bank's portfolio in the DRC.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Eric Joyce: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Government have taken to ensure that World Bank programmes in the Democratic Republic of Congo do not have a negative impact on the (a) rights and (b) livelihoods of those who depend on the integrity of the forest ecosystem.

Hilary Benn: The exploitation of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)'s forests has the potential to generate significant benefits for the country's people. But forestry resources need to be managed in a transparent and environmentally sustainable way, which both generates revenues and promotes the rights and livelihoods of forest dwellers. The UK is advocating this balanced approach to forest management in its engagement with all partners working on the issue in the DRC.
	The World Bank provided support for development of the new DRC forestry code. The code is based on a forest classification system, which will delineate areas for commercial exploitation and community forestry. The code also provides for rights of access for traditional users, the transparent auctioning of forest concessions and the decentralised allocation of revenues.
	Donors (led by the World Bank and the EC) are now discussing how best to support the implementation of the code. A multi-donor trust fund is planned. At the same time, and in recognition of the lack of implementation capacity on the ground, the World Bank is stressing the need to curb illegal and unsustainable exploitation. Two conditions; the continuation of the moratorium on the granting of new forestry concessions and a legal review of existing concessions, were attached to the most recent tranche of World Bank budget support. DFID supports this approach.
	Progress in the forest sector has also been discussed with our EU partners under the UK's presidency of the EU in the DRC.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Eric Joyce: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures have been taken to ensure funds allocated by his Department are not diverted to pay the salaries of members of the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Hilary Benn: Salaries for soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC's) armed forces come from the DRC's national budget, not from donor funds. The UK has been active, however, in urging the Government of the DRC to ensure that its soldiers receive their salaries. A properly integrated, paid and trained national army is essential for consolidating peace and security in the DRC and the whole Great Lakes region. At present, soldiers rarely receive their salaries, creating insecurity for all as they prey on civilians to make ends meet.
	While in the in DRC in November, I advised President Kabila that the UK (through the Africa Conflict Prevention Pool) would support the basic needs (sanitation and accommodation) of soldiers in newly integrated brigades. However, this support is conditional on the DRC Government ensuring that soldiers are properly paid, including through implementing the recommendations of the EU's advisory mission on Security Sector Reform (SSR). One of the key strands of this work is a project to reform the army pay system. It will see advisers seconded to each integrated brigade to oversee payment of the soldiers' salaries and to help ensure that the DRC's own money reaches the people it was destined for and is not diverted by corrupt senior officers. We expect the Government of the DRC to approve the report's recommendations shortly.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Eric Joyce: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the demobilisation process in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Hilary Benn: The UK is concerned by the limited progress made by the demobilisation process in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Progress is slow because too few soldiers associated with the different composants of the transitional government are being encouraged and facilitated to enter the process. The UK, with the rest of the International Community, continues to press the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo to accelerate its efforts in the implementation of the demobilisation and re-integration process. I personally urged President Kabila and other members of the transitional government to step up army integration and demobilisation of soldiers during my recent visit to Democratic Republic of Congo.
	The International Committee Accompanying the Transition process in the DRC (CIAT)in which theUK is a very active member) has repeatedly pushed the Congolese transitional government for more progress in this area. The CIAT released a very strong statement in early December urging the Government of the DRC to speed up both the integration of the army and demobilisation of ex-combatants. The international community, including the UK, are providing substantial direct support to the demobilisation process. The UK is putting $25 million over 5 years into the World Bank's Multi-Country Demobilisation and Reintegration Programme (MDRP), covering nine countries including the DRC.

Departmental Estate

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which buildings and sites used by his Department and related agencies (a) have ceased to be used in the last year and (b) will be closed under current plans for relocation.

Gareth Thomas: No buildings have yet been closed under DFID's relocation plans. However, it is our intention to close our second London office at 20 Victoria street, SW1, at the conclusion of the current lease in December 2006.

Departmental Guidance (Evidence/Documentary Access)

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his policy is with regard to (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department giving evidence to the (i) Scottish Parliament, (ii) National Assembly for Wales and (iii)Northern Ireland Assembly committees; and to what categories of document he gives (A) full access, (B)restricted access and (C) no access to (1) Scottish Parliament, (2) National Assembly for Wales, (3) Northern Ireland Assembly and (4) House of Commons Select Committees.

Hilary Benn: Requests for the attendance of Ministers or officials to give evidence to the devolved legislatures, and for the provision of information to the assemblies, will be considered on a case by case basis. The consideration will reflect: the principles set out in the Cabinet Office guidance Departmental Evidence and Response to Select Committees (July 2005); the policy outlined in the Department for Constitutional Affairs' Devolution Guidance Note No. 12 Attendance of UK Ministers and Officials at Committees of the devolved legislatures; and the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act. The principles underlying the provision of information to House of Commons Select Committees are set out in Departmental Evidence and Response to Select Committees, particularly sections 4B and 4C.
	I spoke to members of the European and External Relations Committee of the Scottish Parliament by video link on 22 March 2005.

Departmental Research

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what research projects commissioned by his Department are being undertaken; and what the publication arrangements are in each case.

Gareth Thomas: DFID's current centrally funded research programmes and projects are:
	Health
	Research Consortium for Research on Equity and Health Systems (CREHS)
	Research Consortium on Future Health Systems: Making Health Systems Work for the Poor
	Team for Applied Research to Generate Effective Tools and Strategies (TARGETS) Research Consortium (research that improves the health of the poor and vulnerable through effective communicable disease control).
	Communicable Diseases: Vulnerability, Risk and Poverty (COMDIS)
	Research and capacity building in reproductive and sexual health and HIV/AIDS in Developing Countries
	Realising Rights: improving sexual and reproductive health for poor and vulnerable populations
	Achieving MDGs 4 and 5: Strategic research to develop the evidence base for policy for mother and infant care at facility and community level
	Mental health policy development and implementation in Africa: breaking the cycle of mental ill-health and poverty
	LAPDAPAnti-malarial Drug
	Vitamin A trial (Ghana)
	DART and ARROW (Anti-retroviral trials)
	Infant Vaccines
	Urban Families HIV
	Malaria (London School)
	Reproductive Health Services
	Health Economics
	Maternal Health
	TB (London)
	TB (Liverpool)
	HIV (London)
	HIV (Liverpool)
	Neonatal Health
	Social Science
	Faiths in Development: Taking faiths seriously: understanding the relationships between values and beliefs, societies, states and development
	Young Lives: a longitudinal research project investigating the nature of childhood poverty in four developing countries
	Crisis States Programme
	Migration, Globalisation and Poverty Research Centre
	Chronic Poverty Research Centre
	Centre for the Future State
	Centre on Citizenship, Participation and Accountability
	Centre for Research on Inequality, Ethnicity and Human Security
	Improving Institutions for Pro-Poor Growth
	New and Emerging Markets Research Programme
	Regulation and Competition Research Programme
	Securing land rights in Africa: Can land registration serve the poor?
	Changes in Land Access, Institutions and Markets in West Africa
	Poverty traps, nutrition, health status and anti-poverty interventions in rural India
	From Economic to Political Crisis: Policy-Based Lending in the Middle East and North Africa
	Children at Work: Determinants and Implications of Child Labour and Schooling Decisions in India
	Sources of Rising Lifetime Incomes in Poor Countries
	Monetary policy, growth and stability in sub-Saharan Africa: future policy issues
	Community-based Service delivery
	Modelling research-policy linkages, locating the poor and assessing cumulative regulation impact on the forest poor in India.
	Pro-poor rural economic and enterprise development: A framework for analysis and action
	Stronger by associationunderstanding how small forestry enterprise associations can work for the poor
	New insights into promoting rural innovation:. Learning from civil society organisations about the effective use of innovation in development
	Democratising Local Governance in Africa: Reform, Citizen Participation and Institutional Responsiveness in Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda
	Land Access and Participatory Territorial Development: lessons and policy implications from South Africa and Brazil
	Understanding interlinks ages in community-driven development: individuals, community workers and institutions
	The Extent and Nature of Absolute Poverty
	Education
	Consortium for Research on Educational Access, Transitions and Equity (CREATE)
	Implementing Quality Education in Low Income Countries
	Improving the Outcomes of Education for Pro-Poor Development: Breaking the Cycle of Deprivation
	Agriculture
	Crop protection Programme
	Crop post harvest Programme
	Livestock Production Programme
	Animal Health Programme
	Fisheries management science Programme
	Aquaculture and Fish Genetics Programme
	Post Harvest Fisheries Programme
	Plant sciences Programme
	Forestry Research Programme
	Natural Resources systems Programme
	Gardens For Life project (Eden Project)
	Bolivia Facilitating Innovative Technologies (programme)
	Recovering Markets: The keys to inclusion of small-scale producers in dynamic markets (Multi-funded programme with NED)
	Infrastructure
	Global Transport Knowledge Partnership (gTKP)
	South East Asia Community Access Programme (SEACAP)
	Transport And Rural Infrastructure Services Learning And Sharing Partnership
	Engineering Knowledge and Research Programme
	Disability Technology Programme
	Communication
	PANOS Research Communication Programme (RELAY)
	The Global Development Network (GDNet)
	Programme for the Enhancement of Research Information (PERI)
	AGORA initiative (improving access to global online research in agriculture)
	The Science and Development Network (SciDev.Net)
	Technology for Agriculture (TECA) initiative
	Coherence in international research information systems
	Mobilising Knowledge for Development.
	AGFAX and the New Agriculturalist
	TV Drama Series, Kenya
	Television Trust for the Environment (TVE) Hands On
	Research Communication for Kenya.
	International Technical Information Service by Practical Action
	Process and Partnership for pro-poor change, International Livestock Research Institute
	Developing Information and Communication Technology Based Cooperative Microenterprises for Poor Women
	In addition we support a range of multilateral and UK collaborative research initiatives.
	Publication Arrangements
	All projects are required to publish their results, and in new projects at least 10 per cent. of the budget must be used to promote the communication, dissemination and uptake of research.
	The Central Research Department supports a number of projects that improve access to research findings, especially for scientists and institutions from developing countries (for example, through the Science and Development Network (SciDev. Net) and the Programme for the Enhancement of Research Information (PERI).

Disability

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether a Minister in his Department is planned to be nominated to take responsibility for liaison with the Office for Disability Issues; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: Because of the overseas focus of its work, DFID does not have a key role to play in the delivery of the recommendations outlined in the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit Report. We do not therefore, have any plans to appoint a Minister with specific responsibility for liaising with the Office for Disability Issues (ODI).
	We do, however, have a strategy in place for removing the barriers faced by disabled people in the workplace and this ties in with one of the key aims of the ODI-to be an exemplar organisation in equal opportunities practice. DFID also takes into consideration disability issues in the context of our wider approach to social exclusion within our overseas development programmes, and plan to keep abreast of any best practice policies that emerge through ODI and other lead departments.

Disability

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the initial activity undertaken by his Department in response to those recommendations in the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit Report Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People where lead responsibility was assigned to all Government Departments.

Gareth Thomas: Due to the overseas nature of DFID's work, we do not have a key role to play in the delivery of policies and/or services which are central to the achievement of the Government's 20 year vision to improve outcomes for disabled people in the UK.
	We have not therefore, undertaken any specific activity in response to the Strategy Unit Report's recommendations which relate ostensibly to the provision of UK public services.
	We do, however, have a strategy in place for removing the barriers faced by disabled people in the workplace and this ties in with one of the key aims of the Office for Disability Issues (ODI)-to be an exemplar organisation in equal opportunities practice. DFID also takes into consideration disability issues in the context of our wider approach to social exclusion within our overseas development programmes, and plan to keep abreast of any best practice policies that emerge through ODI and other lead departments.

External Contractors (Technical Assistance)

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many technical assistance contracts between his Department and external contractors were terminated in each year since 1997.

Hilary Benn: DFID has no central record of the number of contracts terminated in each year since 1997 and could not produce this information without incurring a disproportionate cost.

GM Crops

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what research his Department has funded on genetically modified crops and food since 1997; and at what cost.

Gareth Thomas: Since 1997 DFID has spent 2,761,890 through its contracted research programmes for research on genetic transformation in fish and crops. 2,245,489 was provided by Plant Sciences Research Programme (PSP), for research on transformation of rice, potato and cooking banana crops. 516,401 was provided for research on transgenic Tilapia, by the Aquaculture and Fish Genetics Research Programme. This is less than 3 per cent. of the total spending within the Renewable Natural Resources Research Strategy.
	DFID also provides unrestricted funding to the institutions of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). Some of these institutions are implementing research on genetic modification technology, but it is not possible to attribute any specific DFID funding to these activities.

GM Crops

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what contracts for projects relating to GM crops and foods have been let by his Department to external consultants in each year since 1997.

Gareth Thomas: Since 1997, DFID has funded two programmes which have had small elements of research involving Genetically Modified (GM) techniques:
	The Plant Sciences Research Programme (PSP) has issued seven research contracts for research on transformation of rice, potato and cooking banana crops.
	The Aquaculture and Fish Genetics Research Programme has issued two contracts for research on transgenic Tilapia.

HIV/AIDS

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions he has had with the United Nations about HIV/AIDS in developing countries; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: In 2005, AIDS has been a centrepiece of the UK's Presidencies of the G8 and EU. On 9 March 2005, with the Joint United Nations Programme for HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS), France and the United States of America, the UK, through DFID, co-hosted the Making the Money Work event in London to translate the Three Ones harmonisation principles into action. The Global Task Team established at this meeting has made significant time bound recommendations for improving the coordination and quality of international support for national-led responses to the epidemic. DFID is working in country and through the relevant UN boards to ensure the recommendations of the Global Task Team are put into practice.
	Following the commitments made at the G8 Summit in July and Millennium Review Summit in September to scale up towards universal access, DFID will co-chair the Global Steering Committee with UNAIDS, established to take forward the commitments made at the summits to support countries in establishing more ambitious comprehensive country-led responses to AIDS.
	At the UK-hosted Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria Replenishment Conference in September, the UK doubled its funding to the Global Fund from 51 million for 2006 and 51 million in 2007, to 100 million for 2006 and 100 million for 2007. Our contribution amounted to some 10 per cent. of the total US$3.7 billion pledged. Overall, the UK has pledged 359 million (US$640 million) to the Global Fund over 7 years (200208). We have also doubled our contribution to UNAIDS from 8 million to 16 million for this year.
	To take forward the HIV and AIDS situation in developing countries, DFID Ministers hold regular discussions with heads of the relevant United Nations Agencies (in particular, UNAIDS). I have recently met with Anne Veneman, the head of the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Peter Piot, head of UNAIDS, and Thoraya Obaid, head of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), where we discussed current HIV and AIDS issues.
	At the United Nations General Assembly Special Session in June 2006, to review the global progress against the Declaration of Commitment which member states signed up to in 2001, DFID will be actively be involved in preparation for this session through dialogue with our EU partners and UN agencies.

Kenya

Lee Scott: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what programmes his Department is funding in Kenya.

Hilary Benn: DFID is the second largest bilateral donor to Kenya. In 200405, DFID spent 39 million. This year we will spend 50 million. Our primary aim is to support the implementation of the Government of Kenya's Economic Recovery Strategy. Our focus is on supporting accountable service delivery, stimulating pro-poor growth, tackling HIV/AIDS and working to improve donor effectiveness. Around 75 per cent. of our spending supports the health and education sectors. Kenya is making excellent progress towards the education Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
	DFID's support, with others will assist with the construction of 11,880 new or refurbished classrooms by 2010, plus more education materials to each one of the 18,500 primary schools in Kenya. In health, it is estimated that the doubling of DFID's support to 47 million will deliver 11 million insecticide treated bed nets, saving 167,000 children's lives, and reducing under-five mortality in Kenya by at least 15 per cent. We are also supporting the Government of Kenya to develop a wider strategy for health care and to tackle HIV/AIDS, another area where Kenya is making significant progress where prevalence has fallen from around 11 per cent. to 6 per cent. in five years.
	DFID supports other areas of work including land and agricultural reform, private sector development, public financial management, improved statistics, and support to governance, justice and law and order. DFID worked with the Government of Kenya to help produce a credible anti-corruption action plan. Against this, they have already passed Procurement and Privatisation Bills, fully staffed the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission, and have developed a code of ethics for Ministers. While the fight against corruption will be hard, these measures should begin to reduce the opportunities for grand corruption; but leadership in this fight remains equivocal and no senior Ministers have yet been asked to take responsibility for corrupt deals. DFID will continue to work with the key anti-corruption institutions, civil society, and the private sector, to continue the pressure in the fight against corruption while, at the same time, helping to deliver benefits to poor people.

Maldives

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much aid the UK allocated to the Maldives in each year since 2000.

Gareth Thomas: I refer my right hon. Friend for Rotherham to the response I gave to him on 9 November 2005, Official Report, column 472W.
	Information about how much aid the Maldives have received in 2005 is not yet available.

Public Appointments

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list the former hon. Members who left Parliament in 2005 who have since been appointed to public bodies by his Department, broken down by party; and who was responsible for making each appointment.

Gareth Thomas: The Department for International Development (DFID) has not appointed any former hon. Members, who left Parliament in 2005, to the public bodies for which it is responsible.

Renewable Energy

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many renewable energy projects his Department has undertaken since 1997; in what year each was undertaken; in what location; and what the (a) nature and (b) cost was of each project.

Gareth Thomas: I shall reply to the right hon. Member for Devizes shortly.

Somalia

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to secure aid agency transport links to Somalia.

Hilary Benn: DFID takes the security of aid provision very seriously in relation to Somalia and we are working closely with the international community to promote the establishment of an effective Somalia Government, to return stability and the rule of law. To this end we are helping Somalia develop an effective civilian police force. In partnership with other UK Government Departments, we are closely engaged in how to address the issues of piracy, terrorism and other forms of cross-border criminal activities with our international partners in the region.
	DFID has also provided significant financial support through the Humanitarian Response Fund (HRF) for Somalia, administered by the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) which has responsibility, inter alia, for the security of UN operations on the ground. We are also planning to provide increased funding to the World Food Programme (WFP) which will include transport and security.

South Asia Earthquake

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list the main categories of aid and supplies the UK has pledged to help victims of the South Asia Earthquake; and how much of each category which has been pledged has been delivered.

Gareth Thomas: Following the 8 October earthquake, DFID has pledged a total of 58 million to the immediate relief phase. The following table gives details of DFID allocations to date. These can be found in our regularly updated situation reports placed on the DFID website, www.dfid.gov.uk. In addition, DFID has pledged 70 million to support reconstruction and longer-term recovery.
	
		DFID funding allocations
		
			 Partner Activity Amount () 
		
		
			 Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)   
			 Oxfam 3,500 winterised family tents, 19,700 collapsible 10-litre jerry cans, 7,530 wool blankets, 40,000 sleeping mats, 20,000 tarpaulins (42)998,448 
			 Oxfam Water/sanitation 560,000 
			 Islamic Relief 10,000 tarpaulins, 20,000 blankets, 1,000 winterised family tents (42)258,000 
			 Christian Aid/Church World Services 1,000 winterised tents in-kind; programme for shelter, food and first aid. 2,000 tarpaulins from Lahore (10,000) (43)310,000 
			 Save the Children UK Provision of shelter, blankets, clothing, primary health care, psycho social support to children 300,000 
			 Save the Children UK Shelter 600,000 
			 Save the Children India Shelter for India administered Kashmir 500,000 
			 Action Aid Food packages, health centres, psycho social support, and shelter; 1,250 tarpaulins from Lahore (6,100) 306,100 
			 Rural Support Programmes Network Tents, food, sanitation, water; 2,750 tarpaulins from Lahore (13,500) 313,500 
			 Mercy Corps Health units, emergency obstetrics and outreach 212,000 
			 International Health Partners Provision of various emergency medicines 50,000 
			 Norwegian Refugee Council Stoves and fuel 300,000 
			 Norwegian Refugee Council Shelter 700,000 
			 CAFOD Water and sanitation and shelter, and cash for work; 2,000 tarps from Lahore (10,000) 310,000 
			 International Medical Corps Mobile health clinics, primary health care training, distribution of hygiene kits 289,000 
			 GOAL 2,000 tarpaulins from Lahore 10,000 
			 ACTED Shelter, toolkits and latrines 300,000 
			 Action Against Hunger Wat/san 337,123 
			 Internews Communication, support to journalist training, radio distribution 300,000 
			 Tearfund Shelter 498,964 
			 Merlin To set up two field trauma units in the Panj Kot valley. Support to four primary health centres and health outreach via mobile units. 800,000 
			 Australian Aid International Health 199,424 
			 Handicap International Health assistance and rehabilitation to disabled population 300,000 
			 Humanitarian Accountability Partnership International Support to agency accountability mechanisms 45,402 
			 International Rescue Corps Health assistance 300,000 
			 Solidarite Water/sanitation 314,055 
			 Sub-total  9,412,016 
			
			 UN Agencies   
			 Flash Appeal: $549 million requested for 6 months   
			 WHO Shipment of health and trauma kits to Pakistan (covering 40,000 people for 3 months) and programme surveillance and response teams. 1 staff secondment 3 months. 670,000 
			 OCHA Humanitarian Information Centre module + vehicle; other in-kind support (vehicles, staff secondments) (42)350,000 
			 OCHA Coordination and additional support to the Humanitarian Information Centre 750,000 
			 OCHA Support to Security Communications via information communications technology 500,000 
			 UNHAS Support for helicopters, one refueler 2,258,250 
			 UNHAS Helicopter support 1,400,000 
			 UNJLC Staff secondments 50,000 
			 WFP Logistics support 800,000 
			 WFP Food support 650,000 
			 UNDSS Four vehicles to support United Nations Department for Safety and Security and relief worker safety and security (42)150,000 
			 IOM Shelter packages including tents, stoves and cooking equipment, including 2 staff secondments 830,000 
			 IOM Shelter materials and personnel support 1,000,000 
			 UNICEF Water and sanitation, staff secondment 1,080,000 
			 UNHCR Camp management, staff secondments 1,250,000 
			 UNHCR Airlift for 27,000 stoves 126,493 
			 Details of DFID secondments DFID secondments: liaison officer for Humanitarian Information Centre (OCHA); air operations expert (UN Joint Logistics Centre); 3 shelter experts (IOM); 1 Civ/mil officer (OCHA Military Civil Defence Agency); 1 logistician (WHO); 4 military logistical planners (UNJLC); 1 GIS officer for HIC (OCHA); 1 air ops (UNHAS); 2 water supply specialists (UNICEF); 1 senior site planner (UNHCR).  
			 Sub-total allocated  11,864,743 
			
			 Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement   
			 ICRC Helicopters, winter clothing, tents and food in Pakistan administered Kashmir; one refueler 2,578,250 
			 Federation Relief supplies for NWFP Pakistan 2,000,000 
			 Sub-total  4,578,250 
			
			 MOD Operations; DFID marginal costs   
			 MOD Three Chinooks deployed for 28 days until 25 November  
			 MOD C130 airlift of rations and water from Kabul  
			 MOD 40 tonnes of vegetarian rations and transport from UK to NATO Air Bridge  
			 MOD Airlift of 2 PUMA helicopters from Spain for use by ICRC  
			 Sub-total allocated  (44)3,000,000 
			
			 DEC airlift   
			 DEC Merlin (26 flights) 228,751 
			 DEC British Red Cross (21 flights) 1,730,437 
			 DEC Save the Children (10 flights) 503,162 
			 DEC Oxfam (7 flights) 354,875 
			 DEC Islamic Relief (4 flights) 420,000 
			 DEC World Vision (5 flights) 218,766 
			 DEC Christian Aid (3 flights) 346,080 
			 DEC Pakistan High Commission (1 flight) 126,000 
			 DEC Miscellaneous costs 75,671 
			 Sub-total allocated  4,003,433 
			
			 NATO support   
			 NATO Charter heavy lift aircraft to transport priority relief items from UN warehouses in Europe and the Middle East to Pakistan (45)2,000,000 
			 NATO 59 Independent Commando Squadron, Royal Engineers to work under NATO command for shelter construction in high areas (45)2,500,000 
			
			 ECHO   
			 ECHO DFID contribution towards European Commission Humanitarian Office funding 1,600,000 
			
			 DFID Pakistan   
			 Various organisations To be programmed to support local humanitarian efforts (45)1,000,000 
			 Birdlife International Immediate relief activities 17,000 
			 Rural water supply and sanitation programme Water/sanitation 385,587 
			
			 Helicopter operation   
			 Helicopters 4 Mil-8 medium lift helicopters to the UNHAS operation four months 4,100,000 
			
			 DFID direct costs   
			 Direct costs Search and Rescue teams; DFID assessment teams, operating costs 2,050,000 
			 Total  46,108,442 
		
	
	(42)In kind.
	(43)Including 115,000 in kind.
	(44)Estimated.
	(45)Allocated.

Sunset Clauses

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his policy is in respect of the use of sunset clauses in legislation.

Hilary Benn: The appropriateness of a sunset clause for the whole or part of any proposed legislation is considered on a case by case basis. It is also addressed when a regulatory impact assessment relation to legislation is being prepared.
	DFID is not currently taking any legislation through Parliament.

Uganda

Eric Joyce: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether he plans to press for the United Nations Security Council to discuss and adopt a resolution on the conflict in northern Uganda during the UK's presidency.

Hilary Benn: The UK is committed to find a resolution to the conflict in northern Uganda. I am aware a number of non-governmental organisations have written to my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, advocating a UN Security Council Resolution during the UK's Presidency of the Security Council in December. These ideas are currently being considered.

Uganda

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps are being taken by his Department to tackle the use of child soldiers in northern Uganda.

Hilary Benn: The UK Government deplores the use of child soldiers. Child abduction is the rebel Lord's Resistance Army's (LRA) principle recruitment method. Although a recent World Health Organisation Survey in parts of northern Uganda indicated a significant decline in LRA abduction rates in 2005, the problem remains serious. Large numbers of children are forced to commute into town centres at night to avoid abduction by the LRA. We are helping UNICEF provide safe shelters in which these children can sleep. We are also helping UNICEF re-integrate child soldiers that escape or are rescued from the LRA through counselling, help with tracing families and specific initiatives to deal with the social challenges of re-integration.
	We remain concerned about continued reports of a small number of under age recruits in the Ugandan army. Uganda has ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which prohibits recruitment into the armed forces under the age of 18. The Government of Uganda works with agencies such as UNICEF to ensure underage recruits are identified and demobilised. UK officials in Kampala continue to monitor the situation closely.

Zimbabwe

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much aid from the UK has been committed to (a) the Republic of Zimbabwe and (b) non-governmental organisations operating in Zimbabwe in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Hilary Benn: By the end of this financial year, DFID will have committed over 140 million to humanitarian and HIV/AIDS programmes in Zimbabwe since 200102. This will include approximately 95 million committed directly to non-governmental organisations. The breakdown is as follows:
	
		 million
		
			 Financial year 200102 200203 200304 200405 200506(46) 
		
		
			 Humanitarian
			 NGO 1.77 16.73 17.63 11.16 9.43 
			 UN 5.0 6.52 7.66 3.24 13.76 
			   
			 Health and HIV/AIDS(47)
			 NGO 4.96 5.5 8.03 10.23 9.85 
			 UN 0.05 0 0 0.5 6.7 
			 Other 3.47 1.17 0.85 0.73 0.26 
			 Total 15.23 29.93 34.17 25.58 40.00 
		
	
	(46)Figures for the financial year 200506 refer to planned expenditure.
	(47)Includes support for orphans and vulnerable children, insecticide treated bednets, and an emergency programme to reduce maternal mortality.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Digital Television

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps her Department is taking to offer assistance to individuals with the switchover to digital television.

James Purnell: The Government and broadcasters have set up Digital UK to provide the necessary information. Their activities will include major communication campaigns, direct mail and a call centre giving practical advice on how to prepare for switchover.
	In addition, specific assistance will be available to households where someone is aged 75 or over; and households with people with severe disabilities. This will consist of providing the necessary equipment to convert one TV set and the relevant support to install and use such equipment.

Digital Television

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the availability of digital television.

James Purnell: The vast majority of households can, with the appropriate equipment, receive digital TV services via either digital satellite, digital terrestrial or cable.
	However at least a quarter of households cannot currently receive the digital terrestrial television (DTT)service; this figure cannot be increased before switchover, which will take place between 2008 and 2012.

Digital Television

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps her Department is taking to offer individuals assistance with the switchover to digital television.

James Purnell: Digital UK will provide extensive information to ensure everyone knows what is happening, what they need to do, and when. Their activities will include major communication campaigns, direct mail and a call centre giving practical advice on how to prepare for switchover.
	In addition, specific assistance will be available to households where someone is aged 75 or over; and households with people with severe disabilities. This will consist of providing the necessary equipment to convert one TV set and the relevant support to install and use such equipment.

Digital Television

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the progress towards digital switchover.

James Purnell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State gave to the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mike Penning) on 11 November 2005, Official Report, column 765W.

BBC Charter

Bob Blizzard: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects to announce the renewal of the BBC Charter.

Tessa Jowell: We intend to publish the White Paper and draft Charter and Agreement early in 2006. The newCharter and Agreement will replace the existing instruments, which expire on 31 December 2006.

Olympic Games 2012

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the latest estimate is of construction costs for the 2012 Olympic games facilities; and if she will make a statement.

Tessa Jowell: The current estimate of the cost of constructing the Olympic sports venue and press centre is around 1.2 billion, inclusive of inflation, fees and contingencies. I am determined that all costs will be tightly controlled and to ensure that the 2012 Games are delivered on time and within the funding envelope.

Administrative Savings

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what administrative savings have beenmade by her Department in each of the last eight years.

David Lammy: Information on gross controlled administration costs underspends for my Department is included in the published Public Expenditure Outturn White Papers for the relevant years. These are available in the Library of the House.
	Details of efficiency gains being made as part of the SR04 efficiency programme, as set out in the Efficiency Technical Notes, are available on the Department's website:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/global/publications/archive_2004.

Arts Council

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions she has had with the Arts Council.

David Lammy: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State last met Sir Christopher Frayling, Chair of Arts Council England, on 26 May 2005. I meet Sir Christopher and members of the Arts Council's senior executive team on a more regular basis.

BBC Licence Fee

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions she has had on the BBC's licence fee proposals.

James Purnell: The BBC have briefed DCMS Ministers on their proposals. The Government is currently conducting a funding review to determine the level of the television licence fee to apply from April 2007 and will announce the outcome in due course.

Big Lottery Fund

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much of the Big Lottery Fund (BLF) money will go to voluntary and community organisations; how much the BLF cost to create; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: The Big Lottery Fund has given an undertaking that 6070 per cent. of funding will go to voluntary and community sector organisations. The cost to date of the administrative merger of the Community Fund and the New Opportunities Fund to create the Big Lottery Fund is 4.976 million. The administrative merger is now effectively complete, though some minor costs will be incurred in effecting the legal merger, if the National Lottery Bill is passed.

Broadcasting (Illegal Jamming)

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations she has received from UK (a) regulators and (b) broadcasters about disruption to the programmes of (i) BBC on 19 September and (ii) Channel 5 on occasions between 14 and 26 October and on 21 November from illegal jamming; and if she will make a statement.

James Purnell: The Secretary of State has not received any direct representations from broadcasters or regulators about disruption to either BBC or Channel 5 programmes due to illegal jamming in September and October.
	The Office of Communications (Ofcom) did advise DCMS officials of a report of interference, received by Ofcom on 25 October, from Arquiva the network operator responsible for transmission of Channel 5 television services in the UK. This report concerned interference to a third party satellite link used to feed programmes to the Channel 5 network, which in turn interrupted the station's television broadcasts in the UK.
	Neither Ofcom nor DCMS officials received formal complaints of similar interference to any other UK broadcasters, including the BBC, between September and November.

Broadcasting (Illegal Jamming)

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what advice she has received on the impact of the jamming of the Telstar 12 and Hotbird satellites from within Libya on United Kingdom broadcasters; and if she will make a statement.

James Purnell: The Office of Communications (Ofcom) advised DCMS officials that the regulator had on 25 October received a report from Arquiva, the network operator responsible for transmission of Channel 5 television services in the UK, regarding interference to the Telstar 12 satellite service.
	The Telstar 12 satellite provides programme feeder links for Channel 5 television broadcasts. Interference to the satellite, which is understood to have originated from a transmitter based in Libya, caused intermittent disruption to Channel 5 services within the UK over a period of approximately two weeks during October. DCMS officials advised FCO officials of the problem. The matter was taken up by FCO officials through the appropriate channels in Libya.
	Interference has now ceased and there have been no further reports of interruption to Channel 5 or other UK television broadcast stations. DCMS officials nevertheless remain in touch with Ofcom and FCO officials to monitor the situation and will take appropriate steps should there be a re-occurrence of the problem.
	Neither Ofcom nor DCMS officials have received reports of interference to the Hotbird satellite.

Children's Play

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much her Department spent on children's play and leisure facilities in 200405; and what this figure is as a percentage of her Department's total budget.

David Lammy: The Department does not directly fund services or facilities and has therefore spent no money on children's play and leisure facilities in 200405.

Children's Play

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many local authorities have (a) a local play strategy and (b) a framework for children's play.

David Lammy: The Department does not hold this information centrally. I understand, however, that the Big Lottery Fund has awarded a development grant to the Children's Play Council (CPC) to develop a proposal to deliver the England wide support and development infrastructure for the fund's new play programme. CPC will undertake an audit of local authority play strategies as part of this work.

Children's Play

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which Departments are represented on the official interdepartmental group on children's play; what the work programme of the group is; and when it will report.

David Lammy: Departmental membership of the cross-departmental officials' group on children's play is as follows: Culture, Media and Sport (Chair); Education and Skills; Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Health; Transport; Home Office; Office of the Deputy Prime Minister; and the Treasury.
	The group's aim as defined in its terms of reference is:
	To develop a coherent and strategic cross departmental approach to play policy; and to maximise the contribution that play can make to DCMS priorities and to those across Government, while recognising the importance of play in its own right.
	The group has met three times and has considered a number of topical issues. The group reports to me on an ongoing basis.

Children's Play

Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport What recent progress her Department has made in improving play facilities in parks.

David Lammy: We are working closely with other Government Departments through our cross-departmental group on play, to improve opportunities for play in England. Thanks to the 155 million play programme announced by the Big Lottery Fund earlier this year, a huge number of existing play facilities across England will be improved and new ones created. This will include those based in parks and open spaces.

Child Sports Trainees (China)

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with the International Olympic Committee about prevention of cruelty to and exploitation of child trainees for Olympic sports in China.

Richard Caborn: The Secretary of State has made clear on several occasions that the Government expects child athletes to be trained and treated in an acceptable manner, consistent with the spirit and values of the Olympic movement.
	We also welcome the recent announcement by Jack Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee, who has said the IOC will look into allegations of mistreatment of child gymnasts in China.

Correspondence

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  when she will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for St. Albans dated 25 October 2005;
	(2)  what the reasons are for the time taken to answer (a) the question tabled by the hon. Member for St.Albans on 22 November 2005, reference 32363 and (b) the letter referred to in the question; and if she will make a statement.

James Purnell: I apologise for the delay in replying to (a) the question 32362 and (b) the letter of 25 October 2005. I will reply to the hon. Members letter shortly.
	The Department has received a large volume of correspondence both from hon. Members and members of the public in the run-up to and immediately following the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003 on 24 November 2005 this year.
	Every effort is made to handle all correspondence effectively and efficiently. Correspondence from hon. Members is handled in accordance with the principles set out in 'Handling Correspondence from Members of Parliament, Members of the House of Lords, MEPs and Members of Devolved Assemblies: Guidance for Departments'.

Correspondence

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the average time taken for her to reply to letters from hon. Members was in the last period for which figures are available.

David Lammy: Every effort is made to handle all correspondence effectively and efficiently.
	All correspondence from hon. Members and peers is handled in accordance with the principles set out in Handling Correspondence from Members of Parliament, Members of the House of Lords, MEPs and Members of Devolved Assemblies: Guidance for Departments. The same principles apply when handling correspondence from members of the public.
	The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of Departments in replying to Members/peers correspondence. The report for 2004 was published on 6 April 2005, Official Report, columns 13740WS. Reports for earlier years are available in the Library of the House.

Correspondence

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many (a) letters from hon. Members, (b) letters from members of the public and (c) parliamentary questions from (i) hon. Members and (ii) Lords were dealt with by her Department in each year since 1995; in respect of the percentage her Department took (A) more than one month and (B) more than three months to provide a substantive answer; and if she will make a statement.

David Lammy: Every effort is made to handle all correspondence effectively and efficiently.
	All correspondence from hon. Members and Peers is handled in accordance with the principles set out in 'Handling Correspondence from Members of Parliament, Members of the House of Lords, MEPs and Members of Devolved Assemblies: Guidance for Departments'. The same principles apply when handling correspondence from members of the public.
	The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of Departments in replying to Members/Peers correspondence. The report for 2004 was published on 6 April 2005, Official Report, columns 13740WS. Reports for earlier years are available in the Library of the House.
	The information we hold on letters from the public refers only to the period from 1997, and whether or not we were late in responding. See table.
	
		
			  Public total Percentage late 
		
		
			 1997 (after 1 May 1997) 9,239 39 
			 1998 19,794 39 
			 1999 15,244 35 
			 2000 14,380 29 
			 2001 11,216 29 
			 2002 9,051 35 
			 2003 8,359 41 
			 2004 8,177 43 
			 2005 (to 30 September 2005) 9,355 41 
		
	
	DCMS has set up a new Central Information and Briefing Unit, which will help ensure that replies to correspondence from the public are dealt with in a prompt, accurate and helpful manner.
	The Department for Culture, Media and Sport aims to ensure that hon. Members receive a substantive response to their named day questions on the named day and endeavour to answer ordinary written questions within a working week of being tabled. We also aim to answer Lords written questions within two weeks of being tabled. Unfortunately, this is not always possible but we do make every effort to achieve these time scales.
	The figures for the total number of written parliamentary questions tabled by (i) hon. Members and (ii) Lords and answered in each year since 1995 1 are given in the table together with the number for those years that took (A) between one-three months and (B)more than three months to provide a substantive answer.
	
		
			   Written questions answered late (13 months) (Commons) Written questions answered late (3 months) (Commons) 
			  Total number of written questions answered (Commons) Number Percentage Number Percentage 
		
		
			 1999 1,113 22 1.9 2 0.18 
			 2000 1,418 67 4.7 0  
			 2001 1,423 59 4.14 7 0.49 
			 2002 1,753 38 2.16 0  
			 2003 1,351 43 3.18 3 0.14 
			 2004 1,408 47 3.33 1 0.07 
			 2005 (up to 8 December 2005) 1,436 59 4.10 5 0.34 
		
	
	
		
			   Written questions answered late (13 months) (Lords) 
			  Total number of written questions answered (Lords) Number Percentage Number of written questions answered late (3 months) (Lords) 
		
		
			 1999 170 2 1.17 0 
			 2000 161 6 3.7 0 
			 2001 156 2 1.28 0 
			 2002 204 3 1.47 0 
			 2003 149 0  0 
			 2004 335 0  0 
			 2005 (up to 8 December 2005) 147 4 2.72 0 
		
	
	(48)Accurate figures for years prior to 1999 are not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	Source:
	Information derived from the DCMS parliamentary questions database.

Correspondence

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Sittingbourne and Sheppey on behalf of Superintendent Alasdair Hope dated 13 October.

James Purnell: I wrote to my hon. Friend on 12 December in reply to his letter of 13 October.

Departmental Costs

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the (a) salary bill was and (b) administrative costs were for her Department in (i) each (A) nation and (B) region of the UK and (ii)London in 200405.

David Lammy: My Department's net administration costs for 200405 were 40,452,000, of which 19,814,000 related to its salary bill. The Department has no staff located outside London.
	The administration budgets regime overseen by the Treasury relates to Whitehall departments only. How administration costs are controlled in the devolved Administrations is a matter for them. Treasury do not monitor regional or central London administration costs separately.

Departmental Estate

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what (a) building and (b) refurbishment projects are planned by her Department in (i) 200506 and (ii) 200607; and what the expected costs are of each project.

David Lammy: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has no planned building projects in either year. It is planning to refurbish its main headquarters building in London but has yet to agree tenders for the work.
	The Royal Parks have no planned building projects in either year. But the refurbishment of the Royal Parks office building in Kensington Gardens is estimated to cost about 50,000 in 200506; that of the Old Police House in Hyde will cost about 250,000 in 200506.
	The Royal Parks have no refurbishment projects planned in 200607.

Departmental Expenditure

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the total value is of (a) catering and (b) entertainment contracts let by her Department; and what the value of such contracts has been let in each nation and region of the UK, including London.

David Lammy: The information is as follows:
	(a) A new contract was placed as from October 2004 to cover catering and hospitality 1 at the Department's London HQ building on a fixed price basis. The annual cost of the contract should not exceed 53,000.
	Royal Parks Agency has let no catering contracts in the last financial year but has spent 24,000 on hospitality.
	(b) Neither DCMS nor Royal Parks Agency has let any entertainment contracts in the last financial year.
	1 The term hospitality covers tea, coffee and working lunches for staff and visitors

Disability

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether a Minister in her Department is planned to be nominated to take responsibility for liaison with the Office for Disability Issues; and if she will make a statement.

David Lammy: Anne McGuire, the Minister for Disabled People, has overall responsibility for the Office for Disabled Issues (ODI). The Minister for Disabled People chairs a cross-government steering group which includes ministerial representatives from the Department of Health, Department for Education and Skills, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Department for Transport and Department of Trade and Industry. Iam the Minister in this Department nominated to take responsibility for liaison with the ODI.

Disability

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the initial activity undertaken by her Department in response to those recommendations in the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit Report, Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People, where lead responsibility was assigned to all Government Departments.

David Lammy: My Department fully supports the recommendations of the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit Report, Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People. We look forward to working with colleagues across government on taking forward those recommendations which are for all Government Departments to implement.

Elite Athletes (Funding)

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what submissions her Department made to the Treasury prior to the pre-Budget report concerning funding for elite athletes at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics; and who was asked to contribute to those submissions.

Richard Caborn: This Department, with the support of UK Sport, the Government's lead agency on elite sport, had numerous discussions with HM Treasury about levels of public funding for elite athletes, grassroots sport and wider participation. These discussions are ongoing.

English Heritage

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions she has had with English Heritage.

David Lammy: Both my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, and I have regular meetings with English Heritage. Most recently, I met the chairman on 23 November 2005 and attended a meeting of the English Heritage Commission on 7 December 2005.

Film Production

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what film production supported by public (a) funding and (b) other assistance took place in the North West of England in each of the last five years.

James Purnell: North West Vision, the Regional Screen Agency for the North West of England has supported a number of film productions in the region, through direct funding and other assistance, over the last five years; specifically:
	
		
			  Direct funding Other assistance(49) 
			  Feature film Short film Feature film 
		
		
			 2005 1 29 5 
			 2004 1 14 5 
			 2003 1 24 7 
			 2002  13 7 
			 2001  12 3 
		
	
	(49)Data for other assistance given to short film projects is not readily available.

Government Art Collection

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 15 November 2005, Official Report, column 1136W, on departmental spending, when the Minister will place in the Library the document listing the works of art purchased by the Government Art Collection in the year 200405.

David Lammy: The document listing works of art purchased by the Government Art Collection in the year 200405 was deposited with the Libraries of both Houses on 30 November 2005.

Independent Fees Review Panel

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the Independent Fees Review Panel interim report.

James Purnell: On 5 December, my Department published the Interim Report of the Independent Licensing Fees Review Panel that has been set up to consider whether the new licensing fees are set at the right level. Copies of the report have been deposited in the Libraries of both Houses and are available at: http://www.culture.gov.uk/alcohol_and_entertainment/monitoring_and_evaluation/ifreview.htm
	I am grateful to the chair, Sir Les Elton, and all the members of the panel for all the hard work they have undertaken over the last few months. I am content with the broad thrust of the panel's four initial recommendations and have asked my policy officials to consider the detailed implications of the proposals and report back to me with an action plan early in the new year. The Panel's Interim Report also identifies nine areas that they wish to consider further, leading to their final report in autumn 2006.

Independent Sports Review

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she has taken to implement the findings of the Independent Sports Review (ISR); what recent meetings she has had on the ISR; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: I always welcome contributions and ideas regarding the way we fund and administer the delivery of sport. I therefore read the Independent Sports Review with interest and noted its recommendations. I have not held any recent meetings to discuss the report.

Jubilee Sailing Trust

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action the Government are taking to assist the Jubilee Sailing Trust to secure the future of the vessels Lord Nelson and Tenacious; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: The Jubilee Sailing Trust has already received significant lottery funding from Sport England. Decisions on further financial support are a matter for Sport England.
	We continue to support sailing for people with disabilities through organisations such as RYA Sailability.

Jubilee Sailing Trust

Angela Watkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make funding available to secure the future of the Jubilee Sailing Trust.

Richard Caborn: The Jubilee Sailing Trust has already received significant lottery funding from Sport England. Decisions on further financial support are a matter for Sport England.
	We continue to support sailing for people with disabilities through organisations such as RYA Sailability.

Junk Food Advertising (Consultation)

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for what reasons the Ofcom consultation on junk food advertising has been postponed from November 2005 until February 2006.

James Purnell: The matters raised are the responsibility of the Office of Communications (Ofcom) as independent regulator. Accordingly, my officials have asked the chief executive of Ofcom to respond directly to the hon. Member. Copies of the chief executive's letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Licensing Act

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the effects of the Licensing Act 2003 on the Government's Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy; and if she will make a statement.

James Purnell: The Licensing Act 2003 is an important part of the Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy which will allow a more responsible attitude to drinking through the removing the artificial and fixed closing times that encouraged people to drink as much as possible before last orders and created flashpoints for conflict through late night queuing for transport and fast food.
	The new regime will encourage a more diverse night time economy that is not aimed solely at the younger market and has brought in tough new powers to crack down on problem premises that encourage drunkenness and disorderly behaviour.
	While it is too early to measure the real impact of reform, early signs are positive with an unprecedented engagement from local residents, the police and others in influencing licensing decisions and tens of thousands of premises already have new conditions to adhere to which promote the licensing objectives.

Licensing Act

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 24 November 2005, Official Report, columns 22289W, on the Licensing Act, if she will make it her policy to revise the guidance to licensing authorities to require them to send details of applications on the register to relevant (a) councillors and (b) hon. Members.

James Purnell: The guidance cannot be used to place such requirements on licensing authorities: that would be a matter for primary or secondary legislation. We not rule out considering changes to the legislation, but only if a compelling case arose during the review of the Guidance or from other work to evaluate the effectiveness of the new regime, including the requirements for publicising applications. I will take note of my hon. Friend's suggestions, but hope she will understand that it is too early to anticipate the outcome of the current review.

Licensing Act

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she made of the impact of the Licensing Act 2003 on those whose only alcoholic product for sale is communion wine before the introduction of the Licensing Bill; and what such assessment she has made since implementation of the Act.

James Purnell: holding answer 12 December 2005
	Before the introduction of the Licensing Bill, the Government carried out a widespread consultation which offered an opportunity for stakeholders to participate, including the manufacturers and suppliers of communion wine. All responses were carefully considered in framing the new legislation.
	The Licensing Act 2003 only came into force on 24 November 2005, and it is still too early to make an assessment of the impact of our reforms in respect of any category of services or premises. However, the Government have made a commitment to monitor the impact of the new laws. This includes Sir Les Elton's on-going independent review of licensing fees. His panel would welcome evidence from any fee payers about the impact of the new regime on their businesses or organisations.

Licensing Act

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether a councillor who has made a representation on a licensing application on his own behalf as a resident is precluded under (a) the Licensing Act 2003 and (b) the Councillors' Code of Conduct from attending and speaking at a licensing committee on that application as (i) a resident and (ii) a representative of other residents.

James Purnell: holding answer 12 December 2005
	I am not aware of any provision in the Licensing Act 2003 or the Councillors' Code of Conduct which prevents a local councillor who is an interested party and who has made relevant representations from speaking at the licensing committee hearing. Similarly, there is nothing to stop a councillor speaking at a hearing on behalf of other interested parties who have made relevant representations, provided that they have asked him to do so and have notified the licensing authority, as required by the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State wrote to licensing authorities on 30 September this year reiterating that there is nothing to prevent a local councillor from making representations if asked to by residents, nor from seeking the views of their residents on licensing matters as they would for any other issues.
	Of course, it would be expected that any councillor who is also a member of the licensing committee and who is making a representation as an interested party, or on behalf of another interested party, would disqualify themselves from any involvement in the decision-making process affecting the premises in question.
	Following a review of the code of conduct for members by the Standards Board for England, the Government have recently announced its intention to amend the code along the lines proposed by the board. These proposals include changes which would support members' advocacy role.

Licensing Act

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  how many establishments she estimates are trading without a licence under the Licensing Act 2003 in (a) total, (b) the Wellingborough local authority area and (c) the East Northamptonshire area;
	(2)  how long she expects it will take to process outstanding licence applications under the Licensing Act 2003 in (a) total, (b) the Wellingborough local authority area and (c) the East Northamptonshire local authority area;
	(3)  how many licences have been applied for under the Licensing Act 2003; and how many of these have not been processed in (a) total, (b) the Wellingborough local authority area and (c) the East Northamptonshire local authority area.

James Purnell: Feedback from licensing authorities indicates that around 190,000 applications have been made for premises licences or club premises certificates under the Licensing Act 2003. Of these, we estimate that about 75 per cent. (142,500) were applications made before 6 August 2005 to convert and/or vary licences under the old regime and would have been automatically deemed granted or refused if not processed after two months.
	Applications that have subsequently been made will usually be processed in about a month if there are no representations, or about two months if there are representations and hearings, although the precise position will vary between local authorities.
	We believe the vast majority of applications have been processed and, while not all licences have actually been issued, we are confident that licensing authorities have made it clear to licensees the terms under which they can trade. We intend to conduct a formal data gathering exercise in the new year in order to publish comprehensive information about the number of licences granted.
	We have no information on the number of premises that are found to be trading without a licence, but we estimate that 98 per cent. of premises that would require a licence had applied before the new regime came into effect. Enforcement of the licensing regime is a matter for licensing authorities and authorised persons, such as the police.
	We do not hold specific information for the Wellingborough and East Northamptonshire areas.

Licensing Act

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what additional resources were made available to local authorities to take on the functions under the Licensing Act 2003.

James Purnell: Costs incurred by local authorities in meeting their requirements under the Licensing Act 2003 will, provided that they have been incurred legitimately and efficiently, be fully met by fees within the national fee regime. No additional resources should therefore be necessary.
	The Government are keeping fee levels under review and will be working closely with the independent panel set up under Sir Les Elton, and with local government representatives, to ensure that the fees have been set at the right level.

Licensing Committees

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will issue guidance to clarify whether an objector making oral representations at a licensing committee is able to raise new issues which she has not previously raised in written representations on the same application.

James Purnell: holding answer 12 December 2005
	Under the Licensing Act 2003 (Hearings) Regulations 2005 (SI No. 44), interpretation of the regulations regarding the governance of hearings is a matter for the licensing committee hearing the individual case, and ultimately for the courts if any decision is challenged.

Licensing Committees

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what guidance she has issued on local authority officers informing elected councillors of licensing applications in their wards.

James Purnell: None. It is for local authorities to decide what policy to adopt in relation to communications with elected councillors about licensing matters.

London Development Agency

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what legal entity will own the land acquired by the London Development Agency for the 2012 Olympics (a) prior to and (b) after 2012.

Richard Caborn: The ownership of the land will depend on the decision taken by the Secretary of State about whether to confirm the London Development Agency's Lower Lea, Olympic and Legacy Compulsory Purchase Order (expected in 2006).
	If it is confirmed, the London Development Agency, as the acquiring authority, would have legal title vested in the land within the Olympic Parkboth prior to and after the games in 2012.

Maldives

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with the UK tourist industry about the safety of British tourists travelling to the Maldives.

James Purnell: My Department has not held discussions with the UK tourist industry about dangers to British tourists travelling to the Maldives. My Department's responsibilities are focused on inbound and domestic tourism.
	I am aware that the FCO provides travel advice notices on its website for over 200 countries based on the most accurate and up-to-date information available to that Department. This is designed to help British travellers make informed decisions about travelling abroad.

Media Ombudsman

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will consider appointing an independent media ombudsman; and if she will make a statement.

James Purnell: The Government is satisfied with the present arrangements for the independent regulation of broadcasting, principally by Ofcom, and of the press, by the Press Complaints Commission.

Music Education

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on Government support for music and music education.

David Lammy: The Government are committed to supporting music in all its forms. We are achieving this through increased investmentfunding for music through Arts Council England has more than doubled since 1997 to over 100 million this year.
	My Department continues to work very closely with the Department for Education and Skills on the Music Manifesto, which celebrated its first anniversary in July. This sets out a series of shared aims for music education over the next three to five years, and has the support of over 420 signatories from across the education, cultural and music sectors.
	Responsibility for music within schools falls to the Department for Education and Skills.
	Through the Live Music Forum, we are working to ensure that opportunities for the promotion of live music are realised to the full.

Organised Sport

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture,Media and Sport what steps her Department has taken to encourage organised sports in inner city areas.

Richard Caborn: The Department is committed to driving up participation in sport by providing facilities and services that meet local needs. Sport England is delivering a number of projects which target inner city areas, including StreetGames networks that specialise in providing organised sporting activities for young people in deprived inner city neighbourhoods and which promote the development of local leaders and coaches.

Pornography

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what definition of pornography is used by her Department.

James Purnell: We use the same definition as everyone else. In terms of regulation, we consider the harm that any type of material (whether pornography, violence, portrayal of drugs use, etc.) is likely to cause to the vulnerable, particularly children.

Press Complaints Commission

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the (a) role, (b) accountability of the Press Complaints Commission and (c) its work in relation to sexist material.

James Purnell: The Press Complaints Commission is entirely independent of Government. It is accountable to the Press Standards Board of Finance. The Editors' Code of Practice contains a clause on discrimination which forbids pejorative reference to an individual's gender, but it does not cover matters of taste and decency.

Sailing

Charlotte Atkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on steps the Government are taking to encourage people with disabilities to participate in sailing activities.

Richard Caborn: Through Sport England and the English Federation for Disability Sport, we are working with the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and RYA Sailability to encourage more disabled people to take up sailing.
	UK Sport funding is being provided to support elite disabled sailors in their preparations for the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing. 304,000 has been provided so far with the prospect of more being provided in 2006. In addition to this, one sailor is currently being supported through a TASS 2012 Scholarship.

Sports Funding (Manchester)

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much funding has been provided for sport in Manchester in the last 12 months, broken down by source of funding; and how much of this went to (a) activities and (b) organisations in the Gorton constituency.

Richard Caborn: The following amounts of funding for sport have been made available in the north west region from December 2004 to December 2005: 24,118,150 lottery funding and 1,462,642 Exchequer funding. Financial information isn't available at constituency level and cannot be split between activities and organisations. However, table 1 gives some examples of projects in the Gorton constituency during this period.
	
		Table 1: Sport projects in the Gorton area in the last 12 months
		
			 Funding source Recipient Project Sector Award amount () 
		
		
			 Exchequer Greater Sport PE and School Sport Links Sport participation and capacity building 34,700 
			 Exchequer Greater Sport Towards an Excellent Service Sport participation and capacity building 15,000 
			 Lottery Greater Sport Women and Girls Equity Post Skateboarding 40,000 
			 Lottery North West Awards for All North West Boccia Development Association Other sporting activity 4,400 
			 Lottery North West Awards for All Passport 2 SportMulti-Sports Club Central Mix of sporting activities 4,956

Taxis

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much has been spent by her Department on taxi travel in the 200506 financial year; and what proportion of such travel was undertaken in each nation and region of the UK, including London.

David Lammy: My Department's expenditure on taxi travel to November in 200506 is 12,161.27. It represents expenditure on taxis provided by the Department's contracted agent, black cabs and taxis in London and elsewhere.
	An analysis of expenditure by nation and region is not recorded on the Department's accounting system and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Television Licensing

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects to make an announcement on the future level of the television licence fee.

James Purnell: In line with the commitment made in the Green Paper published in March of this year, the Government are currently conducting a funding review to determine the level of the licence fee to apply from April 2007. Work is continuing and we will make an announcement in due course.

Television Licensing

Fraser Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  how many calls in 2005 initially received by the computerised voice recognition system used by the TV Licensing Authority for address transfers were then transferred to human operators for completion because the software could not understand regional and national accents and dialects, broken down by region of call origin;
	(2)  if she will undertake research to establish whether the computerised voice recognition system used by the TV Licensing Authority for address transfers could be adapted to deal with a higher proportion of calls from people with north eastern English accents;
	(3)  which regional and national dialects and accents of the United Kingdom were most frequently not recognised in 2005 by the computerised voice recognition system for address transfers used by the TV Licensing Authority;
	(4)  whether the computerised voice recognition system used by the TV Licensing Authority for address transfers was designed to recognise English spoken with regional accents.

James Purnell: The BBC has responsibility for the administration and enforcement of the television licensing system and TV Licensing carries out the day to day administration and enforcement under contract to the corporation. I have therefore asked the BBC's head of revenue management to consider the questions raised by my hon. Friend and to write to him direct. Copies of the reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Tourism

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much has been spent in each of the last five years in promoting tourism to the UK in China; and what assessment she has made of the effects of the promotion campaigns.

James Purnell: My Department works actively to promote both domestic and inbound tourism. At a national level, marketing and other work to promote the sector is the responsibility of VisitBritain.
	DCMS funding to promote tourism to the UK in China is via VisitBritain and in 200405 a budget of 200,000 was agreed.
	It is too early to give an assessment of the effects of the promotion campaign. However, VisitBritain's strategy to increase the value of inbound tourism and visitor numbers includes focusing its efforts on China as one of the markets with the greatest potential for growth.

Winter Olympic Sports

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much public funding has been allocated to winter Olympics sports in each of the last five years.

Richard Caborn: The total amount of exchequer and lottery funding provided to winter Olympic sports in the current winter Olympic cycle, October 2002 to September 2006 is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Lottery funding provided () 
		
		
			 October 2002 to September 2003 931,973 
			 October 2003 to September 2004 1,023,411 
			 October 2004 to September 2005 1,372,817 
			 October 2005 to September 2006 1,166,630

Winter Olympic Sports

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether the Government have been involved in setting (a) formal and (b) informal targets for performance at the (i) 2006 and (ii) 2010 winter Olympic games; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: Following a review of athlete performances with the six winter sports that are currently funded through UK Sport's World Class Performance programme, UK Sport, the Government's lead agency for elite sport, estimates that we will win up to three medals at the Turin winter Olympic games.
	UK Sport will agree medal targets for 2010 with their funded sports following the Turin games.

World Cup 2006

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the ticket allocation for England fans at the 2006 Football World Cup.

Richard Caborn: While the Government and the FA have requested a greater allocation of tickets for England fans for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, this is the responsibility of FIFA.
	I wrote to the President of FIFA in October about this issue and received an assurance that it will do everything in its power to ensure that England fans will receive as many tickets as possible.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Advisory Non-departmental Public Bodies

David Amess: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will list her Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies (a) which the Government is required to consult prior to legislative proposals and (b) whose advice the Government is required to publish.

Harriet Harman: (a) Prior to legislative proposals, the Government is required to consult the following advisory non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) sponsored by the Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA):
	Advisory Council on National Records and Archives
	Boundary Commission for England
	Boundary Commission for Scotland
	Boundary Commission for Wales
	Civil Justice Council
	Council on Tribunals
	Criminal Procedure Rule Committee
	Crown Court Rule Committee
	Family Procedure Rule Committee
	Insolvency Rules Committee
	Land Registration Rule Committee
	(b) The Government is required to publish the advice of the following advisory NDPBs sponsored by the DCA:
	Boundary Commission for England
	Boundary Commission for Scotland
	Boundary Commission for Wales
	Law Commission
	Legal Services Consultative Panel

Advisory Non-departmental Public Bodies

David Amess: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by her Department (a) have a statutory base, (b) publish their advice to Government, (c) publish an annual report and (d) lay an annual report before Parliament; and whether this is under a statutory requirement in each case.

Harriet Harman: The information can be found in the following table.
	
		
			 Name of advisory non-departmental public body (NDPB) (a) Hold public meetings If so, whether under a statutory requirement (b) Conduct public consultation exercises If so, whether under a statutory requirement (c) Conduct consultation exercises with outside commercial interests If so, whether under a statutory requirement 
		
		
			 Advisory Committees on General Commissioners of Income Tax No No No No No No 
			 Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace in England and Wales No No No No No No 
			 Advisory Council on National Records  and Archives No No No No No No 
			 Boundary Commission for England Yes Yes Yes Yes No No 
			 Boundary Commission for Scotland Yes Yes Yes Yes No No 
			 Boundary Commission for Wales Yes Yes Yes Yes No No 
			 Civil Justice Council Yes(50) No Yes No Yes No 
			 Civil Procedure Rule Committee Yes (proposed)(51) No Yes(52) Yes(53) No No 
			 Council on Tribunals No No Yes(54) No Yes(55) No 
			 Courts Boards Yes No No No No No 
			 Criminal Procedure Rule Committee No No Yes(56) No No No 
			 Crown Court Rule Committee No No No No No No 
			 Family Justice Council No No No No No No 
			 Family Procedure Rule Committee Yes (proposed)(57) No Yes(58) Yes No No 
			 Insolvency Rules Committee No No No No No No 
			 Land Registration Rule Committee No No Yes(50) 0 No Yes(50)(5508560051) No 
			 Law Commission No(50)(5508560051) No Yes(50)(5508560051) No Yes(50)(5508560051) No 
			 Legal Services Consultative Panel No No No No No No 
			 Strategic Investment Board No No No No No No 
		
	
	(50)Civil Justice Council: has held public meetings in the past but not currently.
	(51)Civil Procedure Rule Committee: agreed in July 2005 to start holding public meetings in 2006.
	(52)Civil Procedure Rule Committee: public consultation means that any interested body or individual, whether commercial or not, has the opportunity to respond.
	(53)Civil Procedure Rule Committee: consultation is statutory under the Civil Procedure Act 1997.
	(54)Council on Tribunals: consults with a range of Tribunal users, practitioners and other stakeholders through various consultation methods.
	(55)Council on Tribunals: consults representative professional bodies e.g. the Law Society, Bar Council, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Other commercial interests have responded to consultations.
	(56)Criminal Procedure Rule Committee: conducts consultations before making rules; the views of commercial interests may be captured.
	(57)Family Procedure Rule Committee: agreed in December 2005 to hold public meetings in 2006.
	(58)Family Procedure Rule Committee: consults as appropriate and in accordance with statutory requirements.
	(59)Land Registration Rule Committee: where appropriate, consultation will be conducted by Land Registry before the Committee considers proposed rules.
	(60)Land Registration Rule Committee: see previous footnote.
	(61)Law Commission: from time to time holds public meetings under consultation process.
	(62)Law Commission: all the projects it undertakes involve wide public consultation exercises with anyone affected by the law. This can include outside commercial interests.
	
		
			 Name of advisory non-departmental public body (NDPB) (d) Publish a register of members' interests If so, whether under a statutory requirement (e) Publish agendas for meetings If so, whether under a statutory requirement (f) Publish the minutes of meetings If so, whether under a statutory requirement 
		
		
			 Advisory Committees on General Commissioners of Income Tax No No No No No No 
			 Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace in England and Wales No No No No No No 
			 Advisory Council on National Records and Archives Yes No No No Yes(64) No 
			 Boundary Commission for England No No No No No(65) No 
			 Boundary Commission for Scotland No No No No No No 
			 Boundary Commission for Wales No No No No No No 
			 Civil Justice Council Yes No Yes No Yes No 
			 Civil Procedure Rule Committee Yes No Yes No Yes No 
			 Council on Tribunals Yes(66) No Yes No Yes(67) No 
			 Courts Boards Yes(68) No Yes No Yes(69) No 
			 Criminal Procedure Rule Committee No(70) No Yes No Yes(71) No 
			 Crown Court Rule Committee Yes(72) No No No No No 
			 Family Justice Council No No Yes No Yes(64) 0 No 
			 Family Procedure Rule Committee Yes No No No Yes(64)(5508560065) No 
			 Insolvency Rules Committee No No No No No No 
			 Land Registration Rule Committee No No Yes No Yes No 
			 Law Commission Yes No Yes No Yes(64)(5508560065) No 
			 Legal Services Consultative Panel Yes(64)(5508560065) No Yes No Yes No 
			 Strategic Investment Board Yes No Yes No Yes(64)(5508560065) No 
		
	
	(64)Advisory Committee on National Records and Archives: publish summaries of minutes of meetings.
	(65)Boundary Commissions for England, Scotland and Wales: publish the minutes of public inquiries only.
	(66)Council on Tribunals: the DCA maintains a register of members' interests. This is available on request.
	(67)Council on Tribunals: meeting agendas and minutes are available on request under Freedom of Information Act 2000 publication scheme.
	(68)Courts Boards: registers of members' interests available on request in accordance with publication schemes under Freedom of Information Act 2000.
	(69)Courts Boards: meeting agendas and summaries of minutes may be available on request in accordance with their publication schemes under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
	(70)Criminal Procedure Rule Committee: plans to make a register of interests available.
	(71)Criminal Procedure Rule Committee: will make meeting agendas and minutes available on request.
	(72)Crown Court Rule Committee: register of members' interests available on request.
	(73)Family Justice Council: publishes summaries of minutes on website.
	(74)Family Procedure Rule Committee: register of members' interests and meeting minutes available on request under Freedom of Information Act 2000 publication scheme.
	(75)Law Commission: register of members' interests available on request.
	(76)Legal Services Consultative Panel: register of members' interests available on DCA website; minutes and agendas available on request.
	(77)Legal Services Consultative Panel: register of members' interests available on DCA website; minutes and agendas available on request.

Advisory Non-departmental Public Bodies

David Amess: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by her Department (a) hold public meetings, (b) conduct public consultation exercises, (c) conduct consultation exercises with outside commercial interests, (d) publish a register of members' interest, (e) publish agendas for meetings and (f) publish the minutes of meetings; and whether this is under a statutory requirement in each case.

Harriet Harman: The information can be found in the following table.
	
		
			 Name of advisory non- departmental public body (NDPB) (a) Statutory base (b) Publish their advice to Government If so, whether under a statutory requirement (c) Publish an annual report If so, whether under a statutory requirement (d) Lay an annual report before Parliament If so, whether under a statutory requirement 
		
		
			 Advisory Committees on General Commissioners of Income Tax No No No No(79) No No No 
			 Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace in England and Wales No No No No No No No 
			 Advisory Council on National Records and Archives Yes(80) No No No(81) No Yes Yes(82) 
			 Boundary Com mission for England Yes(83) Yes Yes Yes No No No 
			 Boundary Commission for Scotland Yes(84) Yes Yes No No No No 
			 Boundary Commission for Wales Yes(85) Yes Yes Yes No No No 
			 Civil Justice Council Yes(86) Yes No Yes No No No 
			 Civil Procedure Rule Committee Yes(87) No No Yes No No No 
			 Council on Tribunals Yes(79) 0 No No Yes Yes(79)(5508560080) Yes Yes(79)(5508560080) 
			 Courts Boards Yes(79)(5508560080) No No No No No No 
			 Criminal Procedure Rule Committee Yes(79)(5508560080) No No Yes(79)(5508560080) No No No 
			 Crown Court Rule Committee Yes(79)(5508560080) No No Yes No No No 
			 Family Justice Council No No No Yes (proposed)(79)(5508560080) No No No 
			 Family Procedure Rule Committee Yes(79)(5508560080) No No Yes (proposed)(79)(5508560080) No No No 
			 Insolvency Rules Committee Yes(80) 0 No No No(80)(5508560081) No No No 
			 Land Registration Rule Committee Yes(80)(5508560081) No No No No No No 
			 Law Commission Yes(80)(5508560081) Yes Yes(80)(5508560081) Yes Yes(80)(5508560081) Yes Yes(80)(5508560081) 
			 Legal Services Consultative Panel Yes(80)(5508560081) No No No No No No 
			 Strategic Investment Board No No No Yes No No No 
		
	
	(79)Advisory Committees on General Commissioners of Income Tax: an annual report is submitted to the Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA).
	(80)Advisory Council on National Records and Archives: established in 2003 following the merger of the Public Records Office and the Historical Manuscripts Commission, The Advisory Council on Public Records was first created under s1(2) of the Public Records Act 1958.
	(81)Advisory Council on National Records and Archives: it is optional for an annual report to be made.
	(82)Advisory Council on National Records and Archives: if an annual report is made, there is a statutory requirement to lay it before Parliament under s1(3) of the Public Records Act 1958.
	(83)Boundary Commission for England: Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986, as amended by the Boundary Commissions Act 1992, refers.
	(84)Boundary Commission for Scotland: Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986, as amended by the Scotland Act 1988 and the Boundary Commissions Act 1992, refers.
	(85)Boundary Commission for Wales: Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986, as amended by the Boundary Commissions Act 1992, the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 and the Government of Wales Act 1998, refers.
	(86)Civil Justice Council: Civil Procedure Act 1997 refers (and the Access to Justice Act 1999 and the Courts Act 2003).
	(87)Civil Procedure Rule Committee: Civil Procedure Act 1997 refers.
	(88)Council on Tribunals: Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1992 refers.
	(89)Council on Tribunals: required by section 4(7) of the Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1992 to make an annual report.
	(90)Council on Tribunals: Lord Chancellor required to lay the annual report before Parliament under section 4(7) of the Tribunal and Inquiries Act 1992.
	(91)Courts Boards: the Courts Act 2003 refers.
	(92)Criminal Procedure Rule Committee: S70 of the Courts Act 2003 refers.
	(93)The work of the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee is reported within the DCA's Departmental Annual Report.
	(94)Crown Court Rule Committee: s86 of the Supreme Court Act 1981 refers.
	(95)Family Justice council: aims to publish first annual report in late summer/early autumn 2006.
	(96)Family Procedure Rule Committee: s75 of the Courts Act 2003 refers.
	(97)Family Procedure Rule Committee: annual report to be submitted in December 2005 for publication.
	(98)Insolvency Rules Committee: S413 of the Insolvency Act 1986 refers.
	(99)Insolvency Rules Committee: submits contribution for DCA annual report.
	(100)Land Registration Rule Committee: s127 of the Land Registration Act 2002 refers.
	(101)Law Commission: s1 of the Law Commissions Act 1965 refers.
	(102)Law Commission: the Lord Chancellor is required under s3(2) of the Law Commissions Act 1965 to lay Law Commission programmes of work before Parliament.
	(103)Law Commission: under s3(3) of the Law Commissions Act 1965 it makes an annual report to the Lord Chancellor.
	(104)Law Commission: its annual report is laid before Parliament under s3(3) of the Law Commissions act 1965.
	(105)Legal Services Consultative Panel: s35 of the Access to Justice Act 1999 refers.

Appeal Court Hearings

David Amess: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the procedure is for removing (a) a Crown court judge and (b) an Appeal Court judge; how many (i) Crown court and (ii) Appeal Court judges have been removed from office in each year since 1975; what the circumstances were in each case; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: The information requested is as follows:
	(a) Under section 17(4) of the Courts Act 1971, a Crown court judge can only be removed from office by the Lord Chancellor, with the agreement of the Lord Chief Justice, for misbehaviour or incapacity. This process would normally be initiated following an investigation undertaken by a judge nominated by the Lord Chief Justice, at the request of the Lord Chancellor; or following conviction for any criminal offence potentially or actually carrying a sentence of imprisonment.
	(b) Judges at the level of the High Court and above may only be removed by the Queen on presentation of an Address by both Houses of Parliament.
	(i) In the period since 1975 I am aware of one Circuit Judge who has been removed by the Lord Chancellor, exercising his statutory powers under the Courts Act 1971. That judge had been convicted of smuggling in 1983.
	There have been no Addresses of both Houses of Parliament regarding the removal of a judge of the High Court or above since 1975.

Barristers

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will list the 10 barristers instructed by the Treasury Solicitor to advise and to represent the Government in court proceedings who received the highest payments in the last financial year; how much each received; and if she will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: I have been asked to reply 
	as Law Officers are accountable for the Treasury Solicitor.
	The 10 barristers instructed by the Treasury Solicitor to advise and to represent the Government in court proceedings who were paid the highest sums for this work in the last financial year (ending 31 March 2005) and the amounts paid are:
	
		
		
			  Counsel Amount paid in last financial year including VAT(108) 
		
		
			 Philip Sales 619,633.76 
			 Ian Burnett QC 327,595.20 
			 Christopher Wilson 304,891.85 
			 Jonathan Crow 287,883.78 
			 Christopher Lewsley 237,255.76 
			 Julie Anderson 227,810.61 
			 Stuart Catchpole QC 201,160.08 
			 Jennifer Richards 199,459.80 
			 Monica Carss-Frisk 195,116.02 
			 Leigh- Ann Mulcahy 182,478.63 
		
	
	(108)The figures include payment for instruction in arbitrations as well as in court proceedings. Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms are used as appropriate.
	A number of qualifications need to be added to these figures:
	The amount paid to barristers in one financial year is not necessarily reflective of the work carried out during that year. Payment may take place during or sometime after the work.
	The figures must be interpreted carefully and do not represent the personal earnings of the barristers listedfigures are inclusive of VAT and disbursements incurred. After VAT has been deducted, barristers will typically pay 25 to 30 per cent. of fees in professional expenses. Additionally, barristers face the same expenses as any other self- employed person, including income tax and national insurance contributions.
	The Crown pays barristers at a fixed hourly rate for work payable, for example, only when hearings take place, and does not use a brief fee system.
	Not all payments could be verified with the individuals concerned. Cases in dispute, where records of payments held by the Treasury Solicitor differ to those held by the practitioners, have been included. Where possible, amounts have been verified by practitioners and adjusted where necessary.

Criminal Offences

Simon Hughes: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs pursuant to her answer of 1 December 2005, Official Report, columns 74243W, on criminal offences, which criminal offences were created in each Act named in her answer.

Harriet Harman: My answer of 1 December 2005, Official Report, column 74243W, listed all of the primary legislation sponsored by the Department from May 1997 rather than the criminal offences created in that legislation. This is because the information requested cannot be provided except at disproportionate cost because of the period of time covered by the question.
	However, I refer the hon. Member to the reply to the hon. Member for Winchester (Mr. Oaten) on 24 January 2005, Official Report, column 136W, which provided some of the requested information.

Data Protection

John Hemming: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment she has made of the deterrent effect of court awards for compensation for breaches of the Data Protection Act 1998.

Harriet Harman: None. The purpose of compensation under the Data Protection Act 1998 is not to act as a deterrent, but to compensate individuals for any damage or harm arising from a breach of their rights. We have further not made any assessment.

Departmental Research

Bob Spink: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what research projects commissioned by her Department are in progress and what the publication arrangements are.

Bridget Prentice: Commissioned research projects in progress are listed in the table and publication arrangements, where decided, are indicated.
	Projects commissioned by the Research Unit are published in hard copy in the DCA Research Series and posted on the DCA website. Other reports may be posted on the DCA or HMCS websites or produced in hard copy, but for some work in progress the exact nature of publication is not yet decided.
	Research commissioned by the OCA for 2005:
	
		
			 Projects Publication arrangements 
		
		
			 Research unit  
			 Evaluation of automatic referral to mediation pilot in the Central London Civil Justice Centre DCA Research Series 
			 Impact of Debt Advice DCA Research Series 
			 Ethnic Diversity and the Jury System DCA Research Series 
			 Training and regulating those providing legal services DCA Research Series 
			 A process and outcome evaluation of court conciliation at first appointment in contact cases DCA Research Series 
			 Separating from cohabitation: How former cohabitants resolve parenting and financial issues DCA Research Series 
			 Evaluation of the implementation of the measures to support and protect victims of domestic violence in the domestic violence, crime and victims Bill DCA Research Series 
			 Problem clustering and legal remedies DCA Research Series 
			 Small claims litigantssatisfaction with process and outcomes DCA Research Series 
			 Small claims mediation scheme at Exeter County Court DCA Research Series 
			   
			 Other projects  
			 Research on providing information to cohabitants about their rights and responsibilities through registrars To be decided 
			 An evaluation of the effectiveness of a campaign to raise awareness about the rights and responsibilities of people living in a cohabiting relationship To be decided 
			 Research on the demographic data available on cohabitants To be decided 
			 Constitutional SettlementA policy development report on Measuring Success in Constitutional Reform To be decided 
			 HMCS Charter Mark Strategy project To be posted on HMCS website 
			 National Customer Satisfaction Survey 200506 To be posted on HMCS website 
			 Research into advice market structure, funding mechanisms and the consequences of these To be decided 
			 Community Justice Initiative (CJI) evaluation: Salford To be decided 
			 Community Justice Centre (CJC) evaluation: North Liverpool To be decided 
			 A literature review by Durham and Leeds Universities on encouraging engagement from debtors To be decided 
			 An evaluation of the National Mediation Helpline On HMCS website 
			 An evaluation of the Fast track and multi-track mediation scheme at Exeter and Guildford County Courts On HMCS website 
			 An evaluation of the Central London County Court voluntary scheme 19992003 On HMCS website 
			 An evaluation of the Fast and multi-track mediation scheme at Birmingham Civil Justice Centre On HMCS website 
			 An evaluation of the Small claims mediation scheme at Manchester County Court On HMCS website 
			 An evaluation of the Small claims mediation scheme at Exeter County Court On HMCS website 
			 An evaluation of the Small Claims Support Service at Reading County Court On HMCS website 
			 An evaluation of the Wandsworth Dispute Resolution Scheme On HMCS website 
			 Research on the use of rule 9.5 of the Family Proceedings Rules 1991 (separate representation for the child in family proceedings) To be decided 
			 Research on 'The impact of assessment centres for judicial appointments on increasing diversity' To be decided 
			 Research into reasons why eligible female and BME solicitors and barristers do not apply for judicial appointment To be decided

Electoral Registration

Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will conduct research into the impact of functional illiteracy on electoral registration rates.

Harriet Harman: The Electoral Commission published its report Understanding Electoral Registration in September this year. Although the research did not specifically address the impact of functional illiteracy, it found some significant gaps in people's awareness and knowledge of the registration process.
	There are no plans to conduct research into the impact of functional illiteracy on electoral registration rates; but my Department is working with key stakeholders on improving the annual canvass form by making it clearer, simpler and easy to understand.

Family Law Act

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether she plans to adjust the criminal legal aid budget to provide for changes in criminal defence costs under the section 42A of the Family Law Act 1996.

Bridget Prentice: We constantly review our forecasts for both civil and criminal legal aid and take any action necessary to fund all those cases which require legal aid.

Gender Recognition Panel

Lynne Jones: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many (a) acceptances and (b) rejections there have been of the applications received by the Gender Recognition Panel; and what the reasons were for each rejection.

Harriet Harman: The information requested is as follows:
	In total, 1,153 applications have been received and 896 full Gender Recognition Certificates have been issued. 17 applications have been rejected. Disclosing the reasons for each rejection would be likely to reveal the identity of these applicants. Reasons for rejection include incomplete or insufficient medical evidence, an incomplete statutory declaration, or refusal by an applicant to state whether he or she is married.

Inquests

Iain Wright: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the average waiting time was between the death of a person and the conclusion of the inquest in (a) England and (b) Teesside in the last 12 months.

Harriet Harman: The average time taken between the death of a person and the conclusion of the inquest in 2004 (the latest 12-month period for which figures are available) was 22 weeks in England and 35 weeks in Teesside.

Judges (Complaints)

David Amess: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will list the complaints made by (a) members of the public, (b) hon. Members and (c) members of the House of Lords about the conduct of (A) Crown court judges and (B) judges of the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and what the outcome was in each case.

Harriet Harman: Since 1998, the Judicial Correspondence Unit in the Department for Constitutional Affairs has received each year between 1,000 and 1,600 complaints from members of the public and Members of Parliament. These include some complaints against judicial office holders sitting in the tribunals. (The majority of the complaints received turn out to be complaints about judicial handling and judicial decisions, in neither of which the Lord Chancellor can intervene because of the principle of judicial independence ).
	The Lord Chancellor would not normally make public the detail of individual complaints or the disciplinary action resulting from those that are upheld unless he and the Lord Chief Justice conclude that it is in the public interest to do so.

Judges (Complaints)

David Amess: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what guidance is issued to members of the public wishing to make a complaint about (a) a Crown court judge and (b) a judge of the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division); and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: Leaflets are available in courts for users who wish to complain and information is also provided by way of frequently asked questions on the Department for Constitutional Affairs' website at www.dca.gov.uk/legalsys/complain.htm. More detailed guidance is provided in the Lord Chancellor's Judicial Complaints Protocol which is available to members of the public on request.

Juries

Mark Oaten: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the selection of juries is representative of the ethnic profile of the local population.

Harriet Harman: The principle of random selection from the electoral register should mean that the composition of juries, whether in terms of ethnic background, age, gender, sexuality or religion is broadly representative of the general population. Jurors are summoned from geographic catchment areas within 1 hours travelling distance from the Court. The Government is committed to ensuring that juries reflect the full diversity of the communities they serve. The Electoral Administration Bill currently before Parliament includes provisions aimed at improving both the quality and the coverage of the electoral register. In addition the Get London Registered campaign will target young people and black and ethnic minority groups to ensure that they are properly represented on electoral registers.

Juries

Mark Oaten: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what data her Department collects on the ethnic composition of juries; and what recent research her Department has conducted into the under-representation of ethnic minorities on juries.

Harriet Harman: The Department for Constitutional Affairs does not collect data on the ethnic composition of juries, or any other data for monitoring purposes. As jury selection is a random process there is no business requirement to collect data on ethnicity. A research project looking at the ethnic make-up of juries from summoning through to service, commissioned by DCA, is due to be published in 2006.

Juries

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will take steps to increase the subsistence allowance for jurors; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: Jurors can claim for subsistence, travel and financial loss. The allowances are reviewed annually in line with inflation. Jurors are currently paid daily subsistence of 5, or 10.67 if they are required to be at court for more than 10 hours.

National Parking Adjudication Service

Paul Rowen: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps the Department has taken to ensure that decisions taken by the National Parking Adjudication Service are consistent.

Karen Buck: I have been asked to reply.
	The National Parking Adjudication Service is an independent tribunal and their Parking Adjudicators operate under supervision of the Council on Tribunals. To help ensure impartiality and fairness, the Government do not have any powers to question decisions they make.

Royal Household

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2005, Official Report, column 1755W, on the Royal Household, if she will list those members of Her Majesty's family who are also members of the Royal Family regularly undertaking official duties and functions on Her Majesty's behalf.

Harriet Harman: According to the official Court Circular, the following Members of The Queen's Family are listed as having undertaken official duties and functions on Her Majesty's behalf: The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, The Princess Royal, The Duke of York, The Earl and Countess of Wessex, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, The Duke and Duchess of Kent and Princess Alexandra.

Search Warrants

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many search warrants were granted by Northamptonshire magistrates in the last year for which figures are available.

Harriet Harman: The number of search warrants issued between 1 December 2004 and 30 November 2005 was 1,166.

Sentencing Guidelines

David Amess: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what recent guidelines her Department has issued to judges about consistency of sentencing; and if she will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: I have been asked to reply.
	It is not the role of Government to issue guidelines on sentencing. The Criminal Justice Act 2003 set up the Sentencing Guidelines Council (SGC), an independent body chaired by the Lord Chief Justice, which is tasked with framing guidelines on sentencing. One of the factors to which the council must have regard when framing its guidelines is the need to promote a consistency of approach in sentencing. When sentencing an offender, courts must have regard to any guidelines which are relevant to the case.
	The SGC has to date issued guidelines on Reduction in Sentence for a Guilty Plea, Overarching Principles: Seriousness, New Sentences: Criminal Justice Act 2003and, most recently, Manslaughter by Reason of Provocation.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Administrative Savings

Francis Maude: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what administrative savings have been made by his Department in each of the last eight years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) was created following the Machinery of Government changes on 29 May 2002.
	The 2002 Spending Review provided for an increase of 902 million in the departmental expenditure limit by 200506, an annual average real growth of 4.9 per cent. To deliver the expanded programme, administration expenditure was also budgeted to increase.
	In each year since the ODPM was established, administration spending has been constrained to below budget. Information on gross and net controlled administration costs underspends for Whitehall Departments is published in the Public Expenditure Outturn White Papers for the relevant years, which are available in the Library of the House.
	Efficiency gains are now being made as part of the 2004 Spending Review (SR04) efficiency programme, as set out in Efficiency Technical Notes which are available on Departments' websites. The administration efficiency savings proposed for ODPM, compared with 200405, are set out as follows:
	
		
			  SR04 administration efficiency savings ( million) 
		
		
			 200506 8 
			 200607 16.5 
			 200708 25

Arson

Michael Penning: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many incidents of arson there were in (a) Dacorum and (b) Hertfordshire in each year since January 1997.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The number of deliberate primary fires attended by the Fire and Rescue Service in Hertfordshire is in the following table. Data are not available centrally for Dacorum.
	
		Deliberate primary fires, Hertfordshire, 19972004
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1997 848 
			 1998 826 
			 1999 1,091 
			 2000 1,276 
			 2001 1,303 
			 2002 1,294 
			 2003 1,265 
			 2004 (109)959 
		
	
	(109)Data for 2004 are provisional.
	Source:
	ODPM

Bellwin Scheme

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the (a) local authorities, (b) fire authorities and (c) police authorities in Hemel Hempstead, will be eligible for Bellwin scheme assistance.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Yes, provided the actions authorities need to take result in eligible costs above the authorities' thresholds. Emergency financial assistance is available to local authorities under the Bellwin scheme to help with their costs incurred in taking immediate action to safeguard life or property or to prevent severe inconvenience to the inhabitants of the area. Local authorities have one month from the end date of an incident in which to notify the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister of an intention to make a claim. Dacorum borough council has already registered such an intention and officials here have spoken to both Dacorum and Hertfordshire county council about the procedures to follow.

Circular 15/92

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 7 November 2005, Official Report, columns 19192W, on planning, if he will place circular 15/92 on his Department's website.

Yvette Cooper: It is now available on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website.

Civil Servants

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many civil servants in each grade have left his Office in each of the last three years to join consultancy firms; and which firm each joined.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not hold this information on its former staff centrally, and could provide it only at disproportionate cost.

Construction Industry Research and Information Association

Mary Creagh: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the results of the research study commissioned by his Department, project ID 11476, completed by the Construction Industry Research and Information Association on 31 December 2004, are expected to be published.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 2 December 2005
	A number of research reports prepared for the Buildings Division of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister are being prepared for publication. The report mentioned by my hon. Friend is one of them. It is expected that the reports will be available on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website early in the new year.

Correspondence

David Amess: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many (a) letters from hon. Members, (b) letters from members of the public and (c) parliamentary questions from (i) hon. Members and (ii) Lords were dealt with by his Office in each year since 1995 in respect of the percentage his Department took (A) more than one month and (B) more than three months to provide a substantive answer; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) was formed on 29 May 2002.
	The Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on the performance of Departments in replying to Members/Peers correspondence. The Report for 2004 was published on 6 April 2005, Official Report, columns 13740WS. Reports for earlier years are available in the Library of the House.
	Information on the number of letters received from members of the public by the ODPM is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Information in respect of the number of parliamentary questions tabled by hon. Members and noble Lords for the ODPM is given below:
	
		
			  PQs from MPs PQs from Lords 
		
		
			 2002(110) 1,532 83 
			 2003 2,747 180 
			 2004 3,397 159 
			 2005(111) 3,218 160 
		
	
	(110)29 May 2002 to 31 December 2002.
	(111)1 January 2005 to 30 November 2005.
	Information on the percentage of letters and parliamentary questions that took (a) more than one month and (b) more than three months to provide a substantive answer, is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Council Tax

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment the Government have made in the last three years of the possible effect of (a) council tax revaluation and (b) further council tax increases on the likelihood of (i) civil disobedience and (ii) civil unrest.

Phil Woolas: None.

Council Tax (Kent)

Adam Holloway: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of spending by (a) Kent county council and (b) Gravesham borough council was financed from council tax in each financial year since 199697.

Phil Woolas: The percentage of Revenue Expenditure by Kent county council and Gravesham borough council that has been financed from council tax in each financial year since 199697 is as follows.
	
		Percentage
		
			  Kent county council Gravesham borough council 
		
		
			 199697 24.3 19.4 
			 199798 25.5 19.5 
			 199899 27.5 26.0 
			 19992000 27.8 25.0 
			 200001 27.9 34.0 
			 200102 27.9 29.1 
			 200203 28.5 35.1 
			 200304 29.4 33.9 
			 200405 29.4 35.3 
			 200506 28.8 32.3 
		
	
	The data are as reported by local authorities and are taken from Revenue Summary (RS) returns for 199697 to 200304, and Revenue Account budget (RA) returns for 200405 and 200506.
	The definition of council expenditure used here is that expenditure funded from Aggregate External Finance (AEF), council tax and authorities' reserves.
	Comparisons across years may not be valid due to changes in the method of reporting the information. In particular, the outturn data for 199697 to 200203 have been calculated on a non-FRS (Financial Reporting Standard) 17 basis whilst the outturn data for 200304 have been calculated on an FRS 17 basis. The budget data for 200405 and 200506 are a mix of FRS17 and non-FRS 17. This is because for their 200405 and 200506 budget forms local authorities, after consultation, were given the option to complete their forms either on a non-FRS 17 basis or on an FRS17 basis. Hence, figures for different years may not be directly comparable.

Criminal Offences

Simon Hughes: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the criminal offences created in legislation sponsored by his Department between the end of the 200304 session and April 2005.

Jim Fitzpatrick: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Southend, West (Mr. Amess) on 15 December 2005, Official Report, column 2197W.

Decent Homes Standard

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of homes in Tamworth constituency he estimates did not meet the Decent Homes Standard in each year since 1992.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not produce its own estimates of homes meeting the Decent Homes Standard in individual local authorities. Local authorities report annual estimates of the proportion of non-decent homes in their own stock through the Business Plan Statistical Appendix (BPSA). Data are available from 2001, when the Decent Homes Programme began and local authorities started reporting this information. The following table shows the percentage of non-decent stock owned by Tamworth borough council.
	
		Tamworth local authority
		
			  Reported percentage of stock which did not meet the Decent Homes Standard 
		
		
			 2001 48 
			 2002 45 
			 2003 39 
			 2004 41 
			 2005 29 
		
	
	Housing association data broken down by local authority is only available from 2005. Prior to this the number of non-decents was collected for individual housing associations, who may own stock in several different local authorities. As at 31 March 2005, 218 housing association homes in Tamworth did not reach the Decent Homes Standard, which amounted to 16.18 per cent. of the total registered social landlords (RSL) owned stock of 1,347 homes.
	Local authorities make estimates of non-decent homes in private sector housing as part of their housing strategy but only began assembling systematic evidence on decent homes for the private sector following the introduction of the PSA 7 Private Sector target in 2002. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not collect estimates for individual local authorities, as it makes national estimates of private sector non-decency through the English House Condition Survey (EHCS).

Decent Homes Standard

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of homes in Kettering constituency he estimates did not meet the Decent Homes Standard in each year since 1997.

Yvette Cooper: The office does not produce its own estimates of homes meeting the Decent Homes Standard in individual local authorities. Local authorities report annual estimates of the proportion of non decent homes in their own stock through the Business Plan Statistical Appendix (EPSA). Data are available from 2001, when the Decent Homes Programme began and local authorities started reporting this information. The following table shows the percentage of non-decent stock owned by Kettering borough council and Daventry district council.
	
		
			  Reported percentage of houses that are non-decent 
		
		
			 Kettering local authority  
			 2001 5 
			 2002 13 
			 2003 13 
			 2004 10 
			 2005 9 
			   
			 Daventry local authority  
			 2001 0 
			 2002 0 
			 2003 9 
			 2004 2 
			 2005 1 
		
	
	Housing association data broken down by local authority are only available from 2005. Prior to this the number of non-decents was collected for individual housing associations, who may own stock in several different local authorities. As at 31 March 2005, 150 housing association homes in Kettering did not reach the Decent Homes Standard, which amounted to 11.47 per cent. of the total RSL owned stock of 1,308 homes (including shared housing bedspaces). In Daventry, 71 housing association homes did not reach the Decent Homes Standard, which amounted to 5.92 per cent. of the total RSL owned stock of 1,200 homes.
	Local authorities make estimates of non decent homes in private sector housing as part of their housing strategy but only began assembling systematic evidence on decent homes for the private sector following the introduction of the PSA seven private sector target in 2002. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not collect estimates for individual local authorities, as it makes national estimates of private sector non-decency through the English House Condition Survey (EHCS).

Departmental Assets

Anne Main: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 7 December 2005, Official Report, column 1429W, on the Asset Register, whether his Department's accounting system SAP has the facility to print information that is held on it.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The SAP system has a full suite of standard reporting functionality. The reports can either be reviewed on screen or can be printed out or can be electronically downloaded.

Departmental Estate

Vincent Cable: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whichbuildings and sites used by his Department and related agencies (a) have ceased to be used in the last year and (b) will be closed under current plans for relocation.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The information requested is as follows:
	(a) Since November 2004 the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has ceased to use offices on part 16th, entire 17th, and entire 18th floors of Portland House, Victoria. They were vacated in June 2005.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is responsible for three executive agencies, the Planning Inspectorate at Temple Quays, Bristol, the Fire ServiceCollege at Moreton-in-Marsh, and the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in Westminster. None of the executive agencies has ceased the use of any buildings or sites in the last year.
	(b) The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has current plans to relocate Headquarters staff from its 4thand 5th floor offices at Allington Towers by April 2008. These offices will be closed and handed back to the leaseholder, the Home Office.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minster has served Notice on behalf of the First Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister to terminate the lease of industrial buildings used by the Fire and Rescue Service Directorate at Marchington, Staffordshire. The buildings will be closed and vacated by the end of June 2006 at the latest. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Civil Resilience Directorate occupies part of the Marchington buildings and is to be relocated to alternative leased premises.
	There are no current plans to relocate the three executive agencies.

Departmental Guidance (Evidence/Documentary Access)

David Amess: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his policy is with regard to (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Office giving evidence to the (i)Scottish Parliament, (ii) National Assembly for Wales and (iii) Northern Ireland Assembly committees; and to what categories of document he gives (A) full access, (B) restricted access and (C) no access to the (1) Scottish Parliament, (2) National Assembly for Wales, (3) Northern Ireland Assembly and (4) House of Commons Select Committees.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Requests for the attendance of Ministers or officials to give evidence to the devolved legislatures, and for the provision of information to the assemblies, will be considered on a case-by-case basis. This consideration will reflect: the principles set out in the Cabinet Office guidance Departmental Evidence and Response to Select Committees (July 2005); the policy outlined in the Department for Constitutional Affairs' Devolution Guidance Note #12 Attendance of UK Ministers and Officials at Committees of the devolved legislatures; and the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act. The principles underlying the provision of information to House of Commons Select Committees are set out in Departmental Evidence and Response to Select Committees, particularly sections 4B and 4C.

Departmental Property

Michael Weir: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much was paid by his Department in 200405 in rent for properties in (a) total, (b) each (i) region and (ii) nation of the UK and (c) London.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) and its agencies paid a total of 26,641,641 in rent for properties in 200405. Of this amount 6,134,681 was recovered from tenants or other Government Departments occupying the property. ODPM also paid 211,214 in respect of rent to other Government Departments whose property they occupied. All the properties are in England and the amount of rent paid in respect of the regions of the UK was as follows:
	
		
		
			 Region Rent Rent including where VAT paid 
		
		
			 London   
			 Eland House 12,350,000 14,511,250 
			 Ashdown House 7,000,000 7,000,000 
			 Portland House(112) 3,203,757 3,764,414 
			 Total London 22,553,757 25,275,664 
			
			 Eastern   
			 Hempstead House Hemel Hempstead 230,000 270,250 
			 Sheffield House, Stevenage 56,000 65,800 
			 Building 3 Garston 36,789 43,227 
			 Total Eastern 322,789 379,277 
			
			 North West   
			 West Point, Manchester 33,175 38,981 
			 1 High Street Glossop 10,000 10,000 
			 Total North West 43,175 48,981 
			 West Midlands   
			 Marchington Staffordshire Primary site 1,029,027 1,209,107 
			 Marchington Staffordshire Secondary site 142,893 167,899 
			 Total West Midlands 1,171,920 1,377,006 
			
			 South West   
			 Planning Inspectorate Temple Quay House,  Bristol 2,550,000 2,996,250 
			 South West Total 2,550,000 2,996,250 
			 England 26,641,641 30,077,178 
		
	
	(112)Serviced accommodation includes rent and other costs.
	This answer does not include buildings occupied by Government offices, who carry out functions on behalf of 10 Government Departments.

Departmental Staff

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many staff are employed by his Department in each (a) region and (b) nation of the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: I refer the hon. Member to Table D of the Civil Service Statistics website at: http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/managementof_the_civil_service/statistics/civil service_statistics/index.asp
	This table covers permanent staff numbers on a full-time equivalent basis in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and agencies. Copies of Civil Service Statistics are also available in the Library of the House.

Departmental Staff

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the value is of (a) pay supplements, (b) bonuses and (c) other incentive packages that are payable in his Department on the basis of geographic location; how many people are in receipt of each payment; and what the total cost to his Department of each payment was in 200405.

Jim Fitzpatrick: In 200405, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (a) disbursed no pay supplements, (b) paid no bonuses, and (c) had no other incentive packages that were payable on the basis of geographic location.
	Separate pay rates apply for staff within the London area and the rest of the country in both the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Headquarters and the Government Offices.

Deprivation Levels

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the levels of deprivation were in each ward in Kettering constituency in the last year for which figures are available, ranked from the least deprived to the most deprived.

Phil Woolas: The Indices of Deprivation 2004 is the latest index for which data is available on deprivation in Kettering constituency. This index was not created at ward level but at Lower Layer Super Output Area (LLSOA) level, which covers approximately 1,500 people.
	The following table lists the LLSOAs that fall within the wards in the Kettering constituency. This data shows that there are 67 LLSOAs in the constituency and that 40 per cent. (27) of these are ranked among the least deprived 20 per cent. of LLSOAs in the country. At the other end of the scale, only 6 per cent. (four) LLSOAs are in the most deprived 20 per cent. in England.
	
		Parliamentary constituency 2005Kettering
		
			  Lower Layer Super Output Area codeWard name 2005 Index of Multiple Deprivation Rank 
		
		
			 E01027121 Spinney 32007 
			 E01027027 West Haddon and Guilsborough (pt) 31679 
			 E01027116 St Peter's 31337 
			 E01027108 St Giles 31226 
			 E01027001 Brixworth 31050 
			 E01027120 Spinney 30998 
			 E01027086 Barton 30919 
			 E01027088 Brambleside 30636 
			 E01027115 St Peter's 30455 
			 E01027125 Trinity 30299 
			 E01026997 Boughton and Pitsford 29714 
			 E01027003 Brixworth 29431 
			 E01027018 Moulton 29206 
			 E01027117 St Peter's 28654 
			 EO1027089 Brambleside 28474 
			 E01027002 Brixworth 28289 
			 EO1027094 Loatland 28122 
			 EO1027099 Pipers Hill 28040 
			 E01027097 Millbrook 27856 
			 E01027000 Brixworth 27571 
			 E01027098 Millbrook 27382 
			 E01027122 Spinney 27282 
			 EO1027022 Spratton 27061 
			 E01027080 All Saints 27043 
			 E01027084 Barton 27037 
			 E01027087 Brambleside 26903 
			 E01027019 Moulton 26326 
			 E01027092 Latimer 25982 
			 E01027103 Queen Eleanor 25915 
			 EO1027020 Moulton 25680 
			 E01027026 Welford 25520 
			 E01027118 Slade 25484 
			 E01027096 Millbrook 24906 
			 E01027101 Plessy 24554 
			 E01027107 St Giles 24488 
			 E01027102 Plessy 24160 
			 E01027023 Walgrave 24118 
			 E01027030 Yelvertoft (pt) 23330 
			 E01027095 Loatland 23129 
			 E01027129 Welland 22728 
			 E01027123 Tresham 21860 
			 E01027090 Buccleuch 20330 
			 EO1027109 St Giles 19756 
			 E01027119 Slade 19075 
			 E01027005 Clipston 18925 
			 E01027126 Trinity 18703 
			 E01027100 Pipers Hill 17416 
			 E01027130 Wicksteed 17324 
			 E01027114 St Michael's 17285 
			 EO1027079 All Saints 17233 
			 E01027091 Latimer 16543 
			 E01027113 St Michael's 15220 
			 EO1027085 Barton 14673 
			 EO1027093 Loatland 14380 
			 E01027124 Tresham 12265 
			 E01027111 St Mary's 12169 
			 E01027112 St Mary's 11494 
			 E01027106 St Andrew's 10542 
			 EO1027104 St Andrew's 10387 
			 EO1027082 Avondale 8540 
			 E01027105 St Andrew's 8377 
			 E01027081 Avondale 8005 
			 E01027128 Warkton 7635 
			 E01027110 St Mary's 6196 
			 E01027131 Wicksteed 5735 
			 E01027083 Avondale 5573 
			 E01027127 Warkton 2801

Designated Growth Areas

Anne Main: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 8 December 2005, Official Report, columns 15012W, on designated growth areas, what procedures his Department will put in place to respond to rapid population growth within designated growth areas; and what evidential sources will be used to trigger such a procedure.

Yvette Cooper: The answer to question reference 31849 referred to two forms of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's (ODPM) funding, namely Growth Areas funding and local government funding.
	Growth Areas funding is being made available to support housing growth within the Growth Areas (including Thames Gateway). The 1.25 billion to be made available up to and including 200708 is based on the results of successive rounds of bidding and is not subject to further evidence on population growth.
	Local government funding allocations for 200607 and 200708 are currently being consulted upon. This years assessment takes account of population projections as this allows the 200607 and 200708 settlements to be more forward looking. Previously settlements have been based on the latest available mid-year estimates as the dominant drivers. This change should provide more support for areas experiencing rapid population growth. The population projections are prepared by the Office for National Statistics using a trend-based methodology which projects forward the population (using 2003 mid-year population estimates as the starting point) into the future.
	ODPM spending decisions for 200809 onwards are subject to future Spending Reviews. In its December 2005 response to Kate Barker's Review of Housing Supply, the Government announced that as part of the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review it would undertake a cross-cutting review to:
	determine the social, transport and environmental infrastructure implications of housing growth in different spatial forms and locations;
	establish a framework for sustainable and cost-effective patterns of growth, including by examining the use of targeted investment through the Community Infrastructure Fund and Growth Areas funding to support the fastest-growing areas; and
	ensure that departmental resources across government are targeted appropriately for providing the national, regional and local infrastructure necessary to support future housing and population growth.
	The cross-cutting review provides an opportunity for evidence of the funding needs experienced by Growth Areas as a result of rapid housing growth to be taken into account in future spending decisions of ODPM and other Departments.

Disability

Danny Alexander: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what work his Department has undertaken with organisations representing disabled people to ensure housing initiatives include disabled people; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) is committed to working with a variety of disability organisations to ensure the requirements of disabled people are represented in its housing programmes.
	For example, through consultation with the Disability Rights Commission and the Inclusive Environments Group of CASE, the Lifetime Homes Standard has been incorporated into the Code for Sustainable Homes.
	In addition the Housing Corporation continues to be supportive of capital investment in housing for those in need of supported housing and extra care provision.
	The ODPM is also working with the Disability Rights Commission to revise the code of guidance on the allocation of accommodation to ensure that housing authorities take into account the needs of disabled people when allocating social housing.
	Organisations representing people with long-term disabilities were part of our consultation on the new HomeBuy scheme to help targeted groups, including those with disabilities, into home ownership.
	The on-going review of the disabled facilities grant (DFG) has included wide-ranging consultation with groups representing disabled people and in particular those supporting families with disabled children. Following these consultations the Government have announced that from 31 December 2005 applications for a DFG from families with a disabled child will be exempt from a means test.

District Councils

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the procedures are for a district council which has adopted the cabinet system to revert to a committee-based system.

Phil Woolas: Any local authority which is operating under the Cabinet system, which had a population of under 85,000 on 30 June 1999 may, by resolution of the council, move to the streamlined committee system. If the local authority has a directly elected mayor this move may only take place following a referendum of the local electorate endorsing the change. In all cases a local authority must first undertake consultation of residents, stakeholders and other interested parties on the proposed change, and have regard to the results of that consultation in determining the model and nature of constitutional arrangements.

English Partnerships

Nigel Evans: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much money has been raised by English Partnerships through the sale of assets in Lancashire in each of the last four years.

Yvette Cooper: The following amounts have been raised by English Partnerships through the sale of assets in Lancashire over the past four financial years, and also over the course of this financial year.
	
		
			 Financial year Receipts ( million) 
		
		
			 200506(113) 5.0 
			 200405 5.8 
			 200304 5.8 
			 200203 8.9 
			 200102 2.7 
			 Total 28.0 
		
	
	(113)Annual forecast for 200506.

Fire Services

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many call outs each retained fire service in Staffordshire has had in each of the last five years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not hold any data centrally on call outs by retained fire and rescue services.

Fire Services

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many times out-of-county fire appliances have been called to emergencies in Staffordshire due to Staffordshire services already being engaged in each of the last five years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not hold any data centrally on out-of-county fire appliance attendances.

Flood Plains (Building)

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister who makes the decision on appeals by companies wanting to build on a flood plain.

Yvette Cooper: The decision on a planning appeal is made by the planning inspector unless the appeal has been recovered for decision by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, the First Secretary of State.

Flood Plains (Building)

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the appeal procedure is for a planning application which has been refused on the grounds that the building should not be allowed on a flood plain as shown by an Environment Agency flood map.

Yvette Cooper: Guidance on planning appeals procedures is set out in DETR Circular 5/2000. Links to the relevant statutory instruments and information on making an appeal can also be found on the Planning Inspectorate's website at www.planning-inspectorate.gov.uk/making_appeals.

Government Offices (Visits)

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many visits (a) he and (b) the Minister for Local Government and Communities has made on departmental business to each Government office region since May.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Since May, my right hon. Friends the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Local Government and communities have made visits on departmental business to each Government office region as follows:
	
		
			   Region  Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Local Government and Communities 
		
		
			 North West 3 3 
			 North East 2 1 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 3 3 
			 East Midlands 0 2 
			 East of England 1 2 
			 West Midlands 0 2 
			 South East 3 2 
			 South West 3 2 
			 London 4 2

Green Belt

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  how much land changing to residential use was within (a) the designated green belt and (b) greenfield land, in each year since 1997, broken down by region;
	(2)  how much land within the 1997 designated green belt changed to developed use in each year since 1997, broken down by region;
	(3)  how many new dwellings have been built within the 1997 designated green belt in each year since 1997, broken down by region.

Yvette Cooper: pursuant to the reply, 16 November 2005, Official Report, c.127578
	The available estimates are from Land Use Change Statistics, shown in the following tables. The numbers and table titles are unchanged but the units for the tables headed New dwellings within 1997 designated green belt, given previously as hectares, are corrected to dwellings. The order of the tables has also been changed to follow the order of the questions. The estimates for 2003 are provisional and are subject to revision. Figures are not shown for 1999 as the data received for that year were incomplete. Figures for 1997 to 2000 reflect planning policies and decisions made before this Government took office.
	
		Land changing to developed use within 1997 designated green belt -- Hectares
		
			  (a) All on designated green belt 
			  1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 North East 43 20 11 143 18 47 13 21 18 
			 North West 331 329 367 488 401 223 367 142 222 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 253 283 182 481 437 164 131 286 285 
			 East Midlands 65 132 197 97 93 92 102 28 128 
			 West Midlands 173 210 286 130 125 328 155 129 335 
			 East of England 172 183 159 196 238 273 319 169 339 
			 London 19 28 44 95 64 37 125 36 64 
			 South East 228 244 482 395 218 554 309 143 151 
			 South West 48 145 207 58 85 132 75 35 29 
			   
			 England 1,332 1,573 1,935 2,084 1,678 1,850 1,596 988 1,570 
			   
			 Proportion of all green belt (percentage) 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.13 0.10 0.11 0.10 0.06 0.10 
		
	
	
		Hectares
		
			  (b) On greenfield land (not previously developed) 
			  1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 North East 14 15 7 109 8 45 6 16 10 
			 North West 197 150 243 315 262 101 237 53 59 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 152 102 75 274 282 60 52 124 133 
			 East Midlands 46 60 160 61 74 70 58 13 60 
			 West Midlands 101 76 143 69 62 67 35 52 266 
			   
			 East of England 83 84 87 150 71 65 90 100 120 
			 London 12 14 19 48 25 14 42 10 31 
			 South East 112 103 104 204 69 389 90 40 57 
			 South West 28 92 160 42 53 91 45 14 8 
			   
			 England 746 696 999 1,273 904 902 656 421 744 
			   
			 Proportion of all green belt (percentage) 0.05 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.05 0.05 0.04 0.03 0.05 
		
	
	
		Land changing to residential use within 1997 designated green belt  -- Hectares
		
			  (a) All on designated green belt 
			  1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 North East 3 3 1 2 7 1 0 2 3 
			 North West 51 46 39 60 59 64 43 49 53 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 25 27 21 40 42 28 41 50 46 
			 East Midlands 9 10 13 10 7 20 17 6 9 
			 West Midlands 24 27 29 33 31 38 31 56 35 
			   
			 East of England 40 50 41 37 49 58 68 36 46 
			 London 4 5 6 9 17 16 10 23 15 
			 South East 62 52 49 67 54 75 64 52 55 
			 South West 9 14 8 10 16 14 13 9 9 
			   
			 England 226 234 207 267 281 313 288 283 272 
			   
			 Proportion of all green belt (percentage) 0.014 0.014 0.013 0.016 0.017 0.019 0.017 0.017 0.016 
		
	
	
		Hectares
		
			  (b) On greenfield land (not previously developed) 
			  1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 North East 2 2 1 2 7 1 0 1 2 
			 North West 26 17 27 36 29 23 17 20 25 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 18 17 15 24 25 21 20 25 22 
			 East Midlands 6 6 4 4 4 6 12 3 6 
			 West Midlands 15 15 19 14 17 22 17 24 14 
			   
			 East of England 11 14 12 10 10 22 13 13 20 
			 London 1 2 0 0 7 6 3 8 4 
			 South East 18 10 12 28 19 28 14 17 13 
			 South West 3 9 4 6 10 7 4 5 2 
			   
			 England 101 93 94 123 127 135 99 115 109 
			   
			 Proportion of all green belt (percentage) 0.006 0.006 0.006 0.007 0.008 0.008 0.006 0.007 0.007 
		
	
	
		New dwellings within 1997 designated green belt  -- Dwellings
		
			  (a) All on designated green belt 
			  1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 North East 52 23 22 50 140 19 11 27 70 
			 North West 879 771 730 1,284 1,049 1,350 799 1,019 1,565 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 373 423 316 630 673 508 891 939 815 
			 East Midlands 143 125 181 194 143 297 289 117 120 
			 West Midlands 390 533 474 610 507 731 817 879 653 
			   
			 East of England 552 580 499 479 846 956 1,181 485 795 
			 London 89 153 171 182 441 384 218 405 287 
			 South East 653 733 553 868 802 1,175 950 734 1,053 
			 South West 124 211 109 159 309 271 243 199 163 
			   
			 England 3,255 3,552 3,055 4,456 4,910 5,691 5,399 4,804 5,521 
			   
			 Proportion of all new dwellings (percentage) 2 3 2 3 4 4 4 4 3 
		
	
	
		Dwellings
		
			  (b) On greenfield land (not previously developed) 
			  1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 North East 46 20 19 34 128 17 2 19 45 
			 North West 472 285 486 746 486 355 296 329 682 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 289 269 173 336 361 373 462 361 405 
			 East Midlands 93 77 67 93 77 39 148 39 65 
			 West Midlands 220 313 288 276 225 372 462 333 250 
			   
			 East of England 119 134 132 107 135 331 198 145 286 
			 London 56 67 6 3 238 131 72 127 79 
			 South East 172 117 147 301 218 278 134 194 322 
			 South West 53 135 46 93 195 90 32 76 34 
			   
			 England 1,520 1,417 1,364 1,989 2,063 1,986 1,806 1,623 2,168 
			   
			 Proportion of all new dwellings (percentage) 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1

Harlow North Sustainability Symposia

Mark Prisk: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the representatives from his Department and public bodies for which his Department is responsible who attended the Harlow North Sustainability Symposia on 6 June.

Yvette Cooper: I understand that two representatives from English Partnerships attended the symposia on 6 June. However, there were no other attendees either from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister or its public agencies.

High Hedges

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many orders have been made by local councils in (a) England, (b) Staffordshire and (c) Tamworth constituency to remove hedges under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003.

Yvette Cooper: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Mr.Robertson) on 7 December 2005, Official Report, column 1428W.

Homelessness

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 18 July 2005, Official Report, column 1440W, on homelessness, what the value was of funding for the project transferred from the Corporation of London; and which authority is now responsible for administering funding for this scheme.

Yvette Cooper: At the end of 2004, the decision was taken by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) to transfer responsibility for funding and managing the operation of the Aldgate Advice Centre from the Corporation of London to the London borough of Tower Hamlets. 235,000 of ODPM grant funding was transferred from the Corporation of London to Tower Hamlets to carry out this work. Tower Hamlets is now responsible for funding and managing the operation of this single homeless day service, which is still operating.

Housing

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many compulsory purchase orders have been made on empty properties by (a) Tamworth borough council and (b) the local authority recorded as the best performing in each of the last three years.

Yvette Cooper: Tamworth borough council has not, in the last three years, made any compulsory purchase orders on empty properties.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not collect data on the number of compulsory purchase orders made on empty properties each year by local authorities and it is not possible to determine the best performing.

Housing

James Duddridge: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on progress towards the Government's target of 80 per cent. home ownership.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 2 December 2005
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister set out our future ambitions with regard to housing supply and helping people into home ownership as part of our response to Kate Barker's Review of Housing on 5 December 2005.

Housing

Mike Hancock: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many homes for key workers have been provided by each local authority in Hampshire in each of the last five years; how many are unoccupied; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: For the financial years, 200001 to 200405 1,531 homes have been provided for key workers in Hampshire of which 48 are currently unoccupied.
	
		
			 Local authority Homes provided Homes unoccupied 
		
		
			 Basingstoke and Deane 295 2 
			 East Hampshire 115 0 
			 Eastleigh 67 2 
			 Fareham 43 4 
			 Havant 42 0 
			 Rushmoor 94 0 
			 Southampton 325 29 
			 Portsmouth 84 0 
			 Isle of Wight 18 2 
			 Test Valley 41 0 
			 Winchester 225 0 
			 New Forest 48 0 
			 Gosport 40 0 
			 Hart 94 9 
		
	
	The figures above include Starter Home Initiative, Challenge Fund and Key Worker Living new build units and equity loans. For the equity loans for the Starter Home Initiative the figures provided are for key workers who work in Hampshire.

Housing

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has for large-scale housing developments in Bournemouth; what assessment he has made of the implications for greenbelt in the area; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: The South West Regional Assemblyas the regional planning bodyare working to prepare the new Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West which will look at housing need in the period to 2026. The Regional Assembly are due to put forward proposals for housing as part of the first draft of the Regional Spatial Strategy by spring next year. The Government have not made any proposals for housing developments in Bournemouth.

Housing

Mike Hancock: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the housing capital allocations for each local authority in Hampshire were in (a) 200405 and (b) each of the previous four years.

Yvette Cooper: The information requested is set out as follows alongside funding for affordable housing provided to registered social landlords through the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme (ADP):
	
		000
		
			  200001(114) 200102(114) 200203(114) 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Basingstoke and Deane housing capital 1,198 938 1,016 845 898 
			 Major Repairs Allowance(115)  
			 Disabled Facilities Grants 174 204 217 294 360 
			 ADP(116) 1,443 1,459 1,922 13,718 6,455 
			   
			 East Hampshire housing capital 1,172 869 921 732 (117) 
			 Major Repairs Allowance(115)  
			 Disabled Facilities Grants 143 143 169 108 226 
			 ADP(116) 1,030 1,246 1,978 8,613 5,907 
			   
			 Eastleigh housing capital 795 674 692 577 (117) 
			 Major Repairs Allowance(115)  
			 Disabled Facilities Grants 148 150 206 360 270 
			 ADP(116) 787 1,592 2,437 10,874 5,068 
			   
			 Fareham housing capital 1,490 637 704 594 650 
			 Major Repairs Allowance(115)  1,628 1,652 1,664 1,611 
			 Disabled Facilities Grants 162 168 180 140 159 
			 ADP(116) 569 1,111 1,205 553 3,809 
			   
			 Gosport housing capital 2,003 762 831 718 791 
			 Major Repairs Allowance(115)  2,341 2,380 2,411 2,322 
			 Disabled Facilities Grants 142 120 147 138 126 
			 ADP(116) 727 169 1,548 5,755 2,160 
			 Hart housing capital 440 362 372 324 371 
			 Major Repairs Allowance(115)  
			 Disabled Facilities Grants 98 160 97 159 150 
			 ADP(116) 1,531 404 1,193 8,897 3,345 
			   
			 Havant housing capital 1,302 916 970 852 (117) 
			 Major Repairs Allowance(115)  
			 Disabled Facilities Grants 300 300 272 420 420 
			 ADP(116) 1,272 1,691 931 1,722 3,395 
			   
			 New Forest housing capital 3,850 1,745 1,833 1,409 1,435 
			 Major Repairs Allowance(115)  3,091 3,157 3,214 3,140 
			 Disabled Facilities Grants 220 240 361 240 240 
			 ADP(116) 3,451 2,189 1,907 5,973 2,369 
			   
			 Portsmouth housing capital 12,619 5,336 5,164 3,641 3,854 
			 Major Repairs Allowance(115)  10,751 11,108 11,341 10,962 
			 Disabled Facilities Grants 321 512 419 458 475 
			 ADP(116) 4,485 4,638 3,577 5,490 6,757 
			   
			 Rushmoor housing capital 1,050 851 942 765 805 
			 Major Repairs Allowance(115)  
			 Disabled Facilities Grants 105 105 121 90 120 
			 ADP(116) 953 1,299 1,726 6,790 8,610 
			   
			 Southampton housing capital 13,704 6,079 5,828 4,264 4,367 
			 Major Repairs Allowance(115)  11,407 11,776 12,078 11,788 
			 Disabled Facilities Grants 349 360 443 459 515 
			 ADP(116) 5,304 6,493 7,592 12,247 10,998 
			   
			 Test Valley housing capital 2,401 705 783 624 648 
			 Major Repairs Allowance(115)  
			 Disabled Facilities Grants 112 112 173 195 240 
			 ADP(116) 840 1,672 1,381 3,945 2,937 
			   
			 Winchester housing capital 2,516 803 906 731 853 
			 Major Repairs Allowance(115)  3,096 3,189 3,275 3,215 
			 Disabled Facilities Grants 50 102 165 165 270 
			 ADP(116) 354 669 4,097 6,241 16,307 
		
	
	(114)Includes an element of funding to be met from council's capital receipts.
	(115)Includes funding provided through the Starter Home Initiative and Challenge Fund.
	(116)Funding to meet the on-going costs of maintaining council housing.
	(117)The authority agreed to resources being switched to the Housing Corporation for provision of additional affordable housing in their area.

Housing

Mike Hancock: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the identified need for housing in each local authority in Hampshire was in each year since 2001; how much of that need was represented by the need for affordable housing; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: The agreed regional policy identifies around 6,030 dwellings as being needed across Hampshire each year since 2001, comprising both market and affordable housing. This policy is currently under review as part of the preparation of the South East Plan.
	Hampshire exhibits high levels of housing demand for a wide range of housing including, shared equity and social housing. Average house prices in Hampshire have risen by 249 per cent. over the period 19972005, and projected household growth across the South East is substantially higher than the current building rates. Individual local authorities have undertaken local housing needs assessments covering households unable to buy or rent in the open market, which demonstrates high levels of need for affordable housing.

Housing

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent assessment he has made of the availability of affordable housing in Coventry South.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 13 December 2005
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has made no recent assessment on the availability of affordable housing in Coventry South. We are aware of a new housing scheme planned for the Stoke area of the constituency. This is at the development stage and it is hoped offices and 600 affordable homes will be built on the previous Peugeot site.

Housing

Danny Alexander: To ask the Deputy Prime Ministerwhat estimate he has made of the percentage of 18 to 25-year-olds, excluding students, living independently in (a) self-contained accommodation and (b) accommodation where some facilities are shared.

Yvette Cooper: Excluding students, the percentage of 18 to 25-year-olds in England who were living independently (i.e. they were not in a household that included one of their parents) was 48 per cent. according to the 200405 Survey of English Housing. Of these, about 97 per cent. lived in self-contained accommodation and about 3 per cent. in accommodation where some facilities were shared.

Housing

Greg Clark: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what information his Department collects on the density of (a) existing and (b) new social housing.

Yvette Cooper: The information requested is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister monitors the density of all new housing through its Land Use Change Statistics but these do not distinguish between social and private housing. Policies to increase the density of new housing apply to all tenures.

Local Government

Greg Clark: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what statistical measures the Government uses to compare the performance of different levels of regional and local government.

Phil Woolas: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister sets a number of Best Value Performance Indicators (BVPIs) which may be used to compare the performance of local authorities across the range of their activities. Comparative data can be found at: www.bvpi.gov.uk

Local Government

Nigel Evans: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what responses on the local government finance consultation he has received from (a) Ribble Valley borough council and (b) Lancashire county council; and when the responses were received.

Phil Woolas: Lancashire county council responded on 10 October to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's public consultation on formula grant distribution. In addition, I met Lancashire county council on 5 October. No response was received from Ribble Valley boroughcouncil. Consultation on the local government settlement for 200607 runs from 5 December 2005 to 11 January 2006.

Local Government

Nigel Evans: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the likely impact of changes in the local government formula grant on public services delivered by (a) Ribble Valley borough council and (b) Lancashire county council.

Phil Woolas: Consultation on the local government settlement for 200607 runs from 5 December 2005 to 11 January 2006. The provision of local services is a matter for Ribble Valley borough council and Lancashire county council themselves, bearing in mind their statutory responsibilities.

Opinion Research/Public Relations

Michael Weir: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the value was of (a) public opinion research and (b) public relations contracts awarded by his Department in 200405 in (i) each (A) nation and (B) region of the UK and (ii) London.

Jim Fitzpatrick: In the financial year 200405 the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister undertook no public opinion research and awarded no public relations contracts.

Pathfinder Areas

Norman Baker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 7 November 2005, Official Report, column 191W, on pathfinder areas, if he will list the companies responsible for the constructions listed in (a) Manchester, Salford, (b) Birmingham, Sandwell and (c) Newcastle, Gateshead.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 12 December 2005
	The following table shows the companies responsible for the construction/conversion of homes in the pathfinder areas of Birmingham Sandwell, Manchester Salford and Newcastle Gateshead.
	
		
			 Pathfinder Construction Company 
		
		
			 Birmingham Sandwell Kier Construction 
			   
			 Manchester Salford Permisson Homes 
			  Dylan Homes 
			  Nutalls 
			  Contour 
			  Space 
			  Anton Richards 
			  Redrow 
			  Harron Homes 
			  Lowry Homes 
			  George Wimpey 
			  Bellway Homes 
			  Countryside 
			  Lovell Homes 
			  Artisan 
			   
			 Newcastle Gateshead Bellway Homes 
			  Moore and Walker 
			  Macson Building and Roofing 
			  Fred Bowering 
			  Ultro Enterprises 
			  Moorside Builders

Playgrounds

Sarah Teather: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many local authority-owned playgrounds there were in each local authority in England in (a) 1997, (b) 2001 and (c) 2005.

Phil Woolas: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Population Projections

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whose population projections are used by the Registrar General in the new calculations for local government formula grant funding.

Phil Woolas: The population projections used by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in the 200607 and 200708 Local Government Finance Settlements are the 2003-based sub-national population projections for England produced by the Office for National Statistics.

Private Members' Bills

David Amess: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list those Private Members' Bills introduced (a) under Standing Order No. 14(6), (b) Standing Order No. 23 and (c) Standing Order No. 57 which were (i) supported and (ii) opposed by his Department in each Session since 199798.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was formed on 29 May 2002.
	The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. (The ODPM's response to Private Members' Bills is normally set out by Ministers during the Second Reading debate.)

Recyclable Housebuilding Materials

Andrew Selous: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he is taking to promote recyclable house-building materials.

Yvette Cooper: The Government supported the passage of the Sustainable and Secure Buildings Bill-now the Sustainable and Secure Buildings Act (2004). Among other things, the Act gives powers to make regulations concerning the use of recycled materials or the re-use of materials. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently investigating ways in which these new powers should be used. The Government are also now consulting on a code for sustainable homes, that includes sustainable materials.

Revenue Transfers

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much was transferred from (a) housing revenue accounts and (b) right to buy revenues of all local authorities in each of the last three years; and for what purposes it was transferred in each case.

Yvette Cooper: The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) system is redistributive, and is supported by the Exchequer. The Exchequer adds to the surpluses collected from some authorities in order to subsidise those who would otherwise make a deficit. The intention is that all authorities should be able to offer a similar standard of service while charging affordable rents.
	The figures for the last three years are shown in the following table:
	
		
		
			 Financial year Contribution from authorities assumed to have a surplus Additional funding provided by Exchequer Total subsidy paid to authorities assumed to have a deficit 
		
		
			 200203 654,659,330 252,084,486 906,743,816 
			 200304 706,268,335 187,928,643 894,196,978 
			 200405 620,543,656 82,879,824 703,423,480 
		
	
	Prior to 200405, authorities had to set aside 75 per cent. of the net capital receipts from right to buy sales to repay debt (if they had debt). Less debt meant less debt charges for Government to subsidise, allowing the Government to support more new investment where the need was greatest.
	From April 2004 set-aside was abolished. All authorities were required to pay 75 per cent. of their net capital receipts from right to buy to the Government so that it could be used fund new investment. Receipts from debt-free authorities are used to support Sustainable Communities programmes including the construction of new affordable housing and the improvement of existing housing. Receipts from authorities with debt are not hypothecated to any particular purpose.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) collects data on total pooled receipts and total amounts set aside by housing authorities. These figures include the amounts arising from right to buy sales alongside amounts relating to other housing capital receipts, but the amounts relating to right to buy sales are not separately identified. The available data is as follows:
	
		 billion
		
			 Financial year Total set-aside Total pooled 
		
		
			 200203 1.9 n/a 
			 200304 (118) n/a 
			 200405 n/a 1.7 
		
	
	(118)ODPM did not collect data on set-aside for 200304 because, with the abolition of set-aside, there was no longer a need to collect audited set-aside data.
	Government housing capital investment totalled 4.5billion in 200405.

Right to Buy (Leeds)

John Battle: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1) what proportion of Leeds council housing stock has been sold under the Right to Buy since 1980;
	(2)  what proportion of council (a) houses and (b) flats in each Leeds constituency have been sold under the Right to Buy since 1980;
	(3)  how many council homes were sold under the Right to Buy scheme in Leeds, West constituency in each year since 1980.

Yvette Cooper: An estimated 28 per cent. of council housing stock in Leeds has been sold through the Right to Buy scheme since 1980. Information concerning the type of dwelling is not available. Constituency level data are not held centrally. The numbers of Leeds council dwellings sold each year since 1980 through the Right to Buy scheme, as reported by Leeds are tabulated as follows.
	
		Leeds, Right to Buy sales
		
			  Financial year  RTB sales Proportion of stock (percentage) 
		
		
			 197980 0 0.00 
			 198081 3 0.00 
			 198182 636 0.65 
			 198283 1,962 2.02 
			 198384 1,128 1.18 
			 198485 922 0.97 
			 198586 900 0.97 
			 198687 557 0.61 
			 198788 n/a n/a 
			 198889 1,618 1.79 
			 198990 3,197 3.64 
			 199091 1,844 2.18 
			 199192 944 1.15 
			 199293 598 0.74 
			 199394 656 0.82 
			 199495 670 0.85 
			 199596 648 0.83 
			 199697 635 0.83 
			 199798 731 0.96 
			 199899 877 1.18 
			 19992000 831 1.14 
			 200001 952 1.33 
			 200102 835 1.19 
			 200203 1,076 1.57 
			 200304 1,437 2.16 
			 200405 1,866 2.87 
		
	
	n/anot available
	Sources:
	SalesQuarterly returns (P1A/B) to ODPM from local authorities.
	StockODPM Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix (HSSA).

Rough Sleepers (Severe Weather)

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what account he takes of forecasts of severe weather when assessing the adequacy of provision of places for rough sleepers.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 7 December 2005
	Local authorities are required to have strategies in place for ensuring that accommodation and support are available for people who become homeless or are at risk of homelessness. In areas with significant rough sleeping problems there are more detailed plans and arrangements for additional provision in severe weather. Usual practice is that such additional provision should be triggered by a Met Office forecast of zero degrees Celsius or lower for three consecutive nights.

Walking (Planning Implications)

David Kidney: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment his Department has made of the planning implications of the promotion of walking.

Yvette Cooper: Government policy is to seek to reduce the reliance on the private car by promoting alternative forms of transport, such as public transport, walking and cycling. Planning guidance is given in Planning Policy Guidance Note (PPG) 13 Transport. This says walking is the most important mode of travel at the local level and offers the greatest potential to replace short car trips. Local authorities should consider walking within their local transport plans, which in turn inform local development frameworks (LDF). With reference to town centres, Planning for Town Centres, Guidance on Design and Implementation tools, which accompanies Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 6 Planning for town centres, states that local authorities should seek to improve the quality, convenience and safety of access on foot, by bicycle and public transport. It advises that further guidance is given in Walking and Cycling Action Plan (DfT, TINF391).
	There is no national assessment of the planning implications of the promotion of walking but PPS1 Delivering Sustainable Development makes it clear that planning authorities should ensure their plans and policies are properly based on analysis and evidence.

NORTHERN IRELAND

A26

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects the Department for Regional Development Road Service works on the A26 to conclude; and what the expected final cost is.

Shaun Woodward: The chief executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
	Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin, dated 19 December 2005
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question regarding when he expects the Department for Regional Development Roads Service works on the A26 to conclude, and what the expected final cost is. I have been asked to reply as this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.
	Current work on the A26 at Ballynaloob between Ballymena and Ballymoney involves the construction of a 2+1 carriageway to create a safe overtaking opportunity for Ballymoney bound traffic, starting at Dunloy crossroads and continuing for some 1.6 kilometres towards Ballymoney. This is part of our programme to improve overtaking opportunities on single carriageways by widening of stretches to provide two lanes of traffic in one direction and one lane in the other.
	An adjacent scheme to improve the Dunloy crossroads is being constructed at the same time. This is being undertaken in light of the poor safety record at the existing junction.
	It is proposed to open the A26 at Ballynaloob to two-way traffic by 23 December 2005. However, finishing-off works including hedge and tree planting will continue for a few months after Christmas but most of this will be undertaken without the need for a diversion. The total cost for both schemes is expected to be 3.3 million.
	I hope this information is helpful.

A6

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of Statefor Northern Ireland when he expects the dualling of the A6 between Londonderry and Dungiven to (a) commence and (b) be concluded.

Shaun Woodward: The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
	Letter from Malcolm McKibbin, dated 19 December 2005
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question regarding when he expects the dualling of the A6 between Londonderry and Dungiven to (a) commence and (b) be concluded. 38340
	I have been asked to reply as this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.
	Roads Service commissioned consultants in April 2005 to identify a corridor for the future dualling of the A6 between Castledawson and Londonderry. It is envisaged that this study will be completed in spring 2006 when the development of the scheme will move to a more detailed phase (Stage 2 Assessment) and public consultation process.
	As announced by the Secretary of State, on 13 December 2005, it is hoped that the scheme will commence on site in the latter half of the Regional Strategic Transport Network Transport Plan 2015 period.
	At this preliminary stage of scheme development, it is not possible to predict with any degree of accuracy how long this scheme, given its magnitude, would take to construct. We will advise you of likely construction duration when we are in a better position to assess it with reasonable confidence.
	I hope this information is helpful.

Accidental Deaths

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many accidental deaths there were in Northern Ireland in each of the last 20 years.

Angela Smith: The following table gives the number of deaths registered in Northern Ireland in each year between 1985 and 2004 where the death was recorded as being caused by an accident 1 .
	1 International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes V01-X59, Y85, Y86 for years 200104 and Ninth Revision codes E800-E929 for years 19852000.
	
		Table: Number of deaths registered in Northern Ireland where the death was recorded as being caused by an accident, 1985 to 2004
		
			   Registration year Number of deaths registered where the death was recorded as being caused by an accident 
		
		
			 1985 527 
			 1986 487 
			 1987 539 
			 1988 540 
			 1989 446 
			 1990 456 
			 1991 492 
			 1992 376 
			 1993 391 
			 1994 430 
			 1995 391 
			 1996 402 
			 1997 428 
			 1998 381 
			 1999 430 
			 2000 364 
			 2001 361 
			 2002 424 
			 2003 364 
			 2004 448

Agenda for Change

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been allocated to each health board area to meet the salary commitments arising from the Agenda for Change agreement.

Shaun Woodward: The amount allocated to each health board area to meet the salary commitments arising from the Agenda for Change agreement is as follows:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 Eastern Board 30,645,592 
			 Northern Board 10,078,041 
			 Southern Board 9,134,583 
			 Western Board 7,889,835

Apprenticeship (Insurance Costs)

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he will take to assist with insurance costs employers who wish to take on young apprentices for training.

Angela Smith: The Government provide a training grant to organisations for each apprentice employed. There are no plans to provide direct assistance with insurance costs.

Belfast Hospitals (Security)

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much funding each hospital in Belfast has allocated to security in each of the last five years.

Shaun Woodward: The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Coleraine Bus/Rail Station

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the annual change in passenger throughput at the bus/rail station in Coleraine has been since its opening.

Shaun Woodward: Translink has advised that the information requested is not readily available. As Coleraine bus and rail station was officially opened on 21 September 2001, midway through a reporting period, it is not possible to disaggregate the annual passenger numbers. Translink has, however, provided details of the numbers of passengers passing through the station in the following table:
	
		
			 Financial year Bus passengers Rail passengers Total passengers 
		
		
			 200203 522,357 546,404 1,068,761 
			 200304 524,738 (119) n/a 
			 200405 553,954 589,881 1143,835 
		
	
	(119)Due to the introduction of a new ticketing system, rail passenger figures for 200304 are not available.

Crime

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the extent to which (a) paramilitary organisations and (b) organised criminal gangs have been involved in the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit (i) medical and (ii) veterinary pharmaceutical products in the Province.

Shaun Woodward: There is no evidence to suggest that Northern Ireland based paramilitary organisations, or organised crime gangs, are involved in the manufacture or supply of counterfeit pharmaceuticals or veterinary pharmaceutical products. The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) continue to monitor the situation closely. A small number of counterfeit veterinary pharmaceuticals were seized in a joint operation between the PSNI and DHSSPS in April and May 2004.
	The Independent Monitoring Commission has reported extensively on paramilitary activity and criminality in Northern Ireland and has not identified any links from paramilitary groups, or organised crime gangs, to the manufacture or distribution of counterfeit medicines or veterinary pharmaceutical products.

Departmental Costs

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the (a) salary bill was and (b) administrative costs were for his Department in (i) Northern Ireland and (B) region of the UK and (ii)London in 200405.

Shaun Woodward: All the costs of the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) relate to Northern Ireland as per the Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses.
	The salary bill and administrative costs for the NIO, excluding its Agencies and NDPBs, for 200405, were as follows:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 Salary bill 38,348,965 
			 Administration (non-staff) costs(120) 33,617,207 
		
	
	(120)Administration costs cover the costs of all central Government administration other than the costs of direct frontline service provision or support activities that are directly associated with frontline service delivery.

Departmental Property

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was paid by his Department in rates in 200405, broken down by local authority; and how much was paid in rates in 200405 in London.

Shaun Woodward: Rates in Northern Ireland are paid to the Rates Collection Agency and distributed. It is, therefore, not possible to break the amount down by council. The amount paid in respect of buildings occupied by the Northern Ireland Office, excluding its agencies and NDPBs, in 200405, was:
	Belfast509,182
	London281,269.

Departmental Savings

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what administrative savings have beenmade by his Department in each of the last eight years.

Shaun Woodward: Administrative savings are a target in the Northern Ireland Office's (NIO) Public Service Agreement (PSA).
	1998 Comprehensive Spending Review period (1999 2000, 200001 and 200102)
	Because of political uncertainties and doubts about the range of responsibilities for which the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland would be directly accountable to Parliament following devolution, the NIO did not publish a PSA in the 1998 Comprehensive Spending Review period (19992000 to 200102) and there was therefore no target to secure administrative savings. Actual savings made in this period were used to offset in-year pressures to allow the Department to live within its baseline allocations.
	2000 Spending Review period (200102, 200203 and 200304)
	The NIO published its first PSA as part of the 2000 Spending Review, setting out the Department's targets. This included a target of securing on-going savings of 3 per cent. in Core Departmental administration costs. This was met.
	2002 Spending Review period (200304, 20045 and 200506)
	The PSA for this period included a target of securing on-going savings of 2.5 per cent. in Core Departmental administration costs. This was met.
	2004 Spending Review period (200506, 200607 and 200708)
	During the 2004 Spending Review period, the NIO is committed to delivering 2.5 per cent. year on year efficiency targets. Efficiency Delivery Plans are in place to meet this target and the Department published an Efficiency Technical Note on 5 December.

Departmental Staff

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many staff in his Department have (a) received official warnings and (b) faced disciplinary procedures in each year since 1995.

Shaun Woodward: The following warnings issued to Northern Ireland Office staff are in relation to poor attendance, performance and conduct. It is not possible to identify the number of staff who faced disciplinary action. This could be provided only at disproportionate costs.
	
		
			  Warnings 
		
		
			 2005 25 
			 2004 18 
			 2003 56 
			 2002 67 
			 2001 31 
			 2000 31 
			 1999 31 
			 1998 31 
			 1997 36 
			 1996 28 
			 1995 33

Departmental Staff

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Northern Ireland Civil Service staff in (a) Enniskillen, (b) Dungannon and (c) Ballymena are employed at (i) AA, (ii) AO, (iii)EO2, (iv) EO1, (v) Staff Officer and (vi) Deputy Principal grade.

Angela Smith: The information in respect of permanent and casual staff in the 11 Northern Ireland Departments as at 11 January 2005 (the latest date for which figures are available) is not available in the form requested. The information in respect of Fermanagh, Dungannon and Ballymena district council areas is contained in the following table.
	
		
			  District council area 
			 Grade level Fermanagh Dungannon Ballymena 
		
		
			 DP 14 3 46 
			 SO 37 8 88 
			 EOI 75 22 170 
			 EOII 72 52 64 
			 AO 127 73 179 
			 AA 61 39 93 
		
	
	Note:
	Staff on career break are excluded from this analysis.

Departmental Travel

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent by his Department on taxi travel in the 200506 financial year; and what proportion of such travel was undertaken in each nation and region of the UK, including London.

Shaun Woodward: The amount spent on taxi travel in the 200506 financial year (up to and including November 2005) by the Northern Ireland Office, excluding its Agencies and NDPBs, was 15,224.

Disability Symbols

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the criteria are for use by an organisation in Northern Ireland of the two tick disability symbol; in what circumstances organisations lose the right to use the symbol; and how many organisations have lost the right to use the symbol in each of the last five years.

Angela Smith: The two tick disability symbol is an initiative administered by Jobcentre Plus in Great Britain, under the control of the Department of Work and Pensions and does not operate in Northern Ireland.

District Police Partnerships

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people applied to be members of each District Police Partnership in the most recent selection process; and how many were deemed to be appointable candidates.

Shaun Woodward: The Policing Board has advised me that a total of 705 people applied to be members of the District Policing Partnerships in the most recent selection process and that 463 were deemed to be appointable candidates. The breakdown for each DPP is as follows:
	
		
			 DistrictTotal number of applicants Total number of candidates deemed suitable to be considered for appointment 
		
		
			 Antrim 20 18 
			 Ards 34 18 
			 Armagh 26 21 
			 Ballymena 39 26 
			 Ballymoney 20 16 
			 Banbridge 28 14 
			 Belfast 45 21 
			 Carrickfergus 21 15 
			 Castlereagh 28 19 
			 Coleraine 38 19 
			 Cookstown 15 11 
			 Craigavon 36 19 
			 Derry 33 14 
			 Down 27 17 
			 Dungannon 17 15 
			 Fermanagh 29 19 
			 Larne 24 20 
			 Limavady 16 14 
			 Lisburn 30 21 
			 Magherafelt 18 15 
			 Moyle 21 15 
			 Newry and Mourne 29 23 
			 Newtownabbey 38 24 
			 North Down 36 20 
			 Omagh 22 19 
			 Strabane 15 10 
			 Total 705 463

Drinking By-laws

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions the Police Service of Northern Ireland has brought cases regarding the breach of drinking by-laws to Belfast city council in each year since November 2001.

Shaun Woodward: Only three out of four Belfast district command units record referrals to Belfast city council. They are listed as follows:
	
		
			  West Belfast North Belfast South Belfast 
		
		
			 2001 (121)1 21 (121)39 
			 2002 5 14 474 
			 2003 6 18 175 
			 2004 17 8 156 
			 2005 (to date) 72 16 138 
		
	
	(121)November to December.

Emergency Contraception

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who has the authority to prescribe hormonal emergency contraception in Northern Ireland other than general practitioners.

Shaun Woodward: In Northern Ireland the only person who has authority to prescribe emergency hormonal contraception is a registered medical practitioner. However, emergency hormonal contraception, namely Levonelle(r) is available for purchase over the counter under the supervision of a pharmacist in accordance with a professional protocol. Levonelle 2 is the prescription only equivalent that, as well as being prescribed by a doctor, can be supplied by nurses and other health professionals under a patient group direction (PGD) signed by a doctor and a pharmacist.

Extra Curricular Activities

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of schoolchildren in Northern Ireland take extra curricular activities necessitating their remaining on school property after normal school finishing time.

Angela Smith: The Department of Education does not currently hold the information about the participation levels of school children in extra curricular activities.

Fisheries

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the Minister with responsibility for Agriculture and Rural Development will meet fishermen from the fishing villages of Portavogie, Kilkeel and Ardglass in the spring of 2006.

Angela Smith: Yes, subject to other pressing diary commitments.

Free Travel Scheme

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many senior citizens in Northern Ireland have used the free public transport scheme in each year since its introduction.

Shaun Woodward: Translink has advised that the information requested is not readily available. However, in the following table I have set out the number of Senior SmartPasses issued together with the number of journeys undertaken since the introduction of Smart cards in May 2002. Details of the free travel undertaken prior to the introduction of SmartPasses in May 2002 are unavailable.
	
		
			 Period Senior SmartPasses issued Passenger journeys 
		
		
			 May 2002 to March 2003 154,733 7,035,518 
			 April 2003 to March 2004 16,373 7,520,275 
			 April 2004 to March 2005 11,044 7,613,642 
			 April 2005 to 15 December 2005 8,284 4,998,778

Free Travel Scheme

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what operational issues are being discussed by officials in the Department of Regional Development with their counterparts in the Republic of Ireland regarding the All Ireland Free Travel Scheme.

Shaun Woodward: The main operational issues beingdiscussed are those of identification of eligible people, ticketing and recording of journeys and the reimbursement of transport operators.

Guest Speakers

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to his answer of 23 November 2005, Official Report, columns 199342W, on guest speakers, who the Irish Football Association nominated in advance as speakers at the reception held at Hillsborough Castle on Monday 14 November 2005; and what guidelines were issued about the content of contributions.

David Hanson: The Irish Football Association nominated, in advance, their President to speak. No guidelines issue on the content of contributions.

Hospital Car Parking

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the amount charged by local health trusts for visitors to park their cars in dedicated car parks affiliated to the hospitals they visit is; whetherin respect of each hospital these car parks are (a) private finance initiative operated and (b) solely the responsibility of the respective trust; and if he will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: The information requested is set out in the following table. Visitor parking at the Royal Group of Hospitals is operated by private finance initiative. Visitor parking at the other hospitals listed is operated by the trusts.
	
		
			 Hour  
		
		
			 Belfast City Hospital  
			 01 0.50 
			 12 1.00 
			 24 2.00 
			 46 4.00 
			 624 8.00 
			 Lost cards 8.00 
			   
			 Mater Infirmorum Hospital  
			 024 1.00 
			   
			 Royal Group of Hospitals  
			 04 1.00 
			 46 1.80 
			 6 3.60 
			 Lost cards 3.60 
			   
			 Ulster Hospital  
			 01 0.60 
			 14 1.20 
			 46 2.40 
			 68 3.00 
			 824 4.00 
			 Lost cards 5.00

Housing

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many housing associations in Northern Ireland have been engaged in new build housing schemes in the last 12 months.

David Hanson: Twenty-nine registered housing associations have projects in the 200506 social housing programme.

Housing

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average cost to a housing association in Northern Ireland of a newly constructed two bedroom dwelling has been in 2005.

David Hanson: The average cost of provision of a new build three person, two bedroom dwelling in 2005 has been 83,392.

Housing

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total rental income earned from their housing stock by each housing association in Northern Ireland was in the last 12 months.

David Hanson: The total rental income earned by all registered housing associations in Northern Ireland for the period 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005 excluding the Northern Ireland Co-Ownership Housing Association Ltd. is listed in the following schedule.
	
		
			  Housing associations Actual rent collected (less rates and service charges) () 
		
		
			 Abbeyfield 1,261,216.00 
			 Abode 570,721.00 
			 Ark 538,298.00 
			 Ballynafeigh 475,150.11 
			 Belfast Community 877,463.00 
			 BIH 8,556,558.00 
			 Broadway 71,342.83 
			 Choice 807,375.00 
			 Clanmil 3,292,930.00 
			 Clonard 75,059.45 
			 Connswater 710,451.82 
			 Coral Crescent 15,882.00 
			 Corinthian 487,967.00 
			 Covenanter 33,775.00 
			 Craigowen 746,476.00 
			 Donacloney 95,530.00 
			 Dungannon 593,265.78 
			 Filor 731,271.00 
			 Flax 723,611.00 
			 Fold 6,216,598.00 
			 Gosford 309,229.30 
			 Grove 403,060.00 
			 Habinteg 3,263,923.00 
			 Hearth 211,510.88 
			 Larne 456,880.00 
			 Newington 811,590.45 
			 North and West 7,493,289.00 
			 Oaklee 6,270,678.00 
			 Open Door 702,003.00 
			 Presbyterian 1,204,392.00 
			 Rural 886,196.00 
			 SHAC 763,164.36 
			 South Ulster 1,415,457.49 
			 St. Matthews 305,630.00 
			 Triangle 553,432.00 
			 Ulidia 911,985.61 
			 Wesley 224,721.00 
			 Woodvale 976,864.05

Housing

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions in 2005 it was established that temporary premises offered by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to tenants while refurbishment work was carried out at their permanent homes were unfit for habitation.

David Hanson: No properties owned by the Housing Executive which have been used for temporary housing in the past year have been found to be unfit. However, one mobile home used for temporary rehousing was classified as unfit due to dampness. The tenant was moved to another mobile home.

Maladministration Payments

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many payments for maladministration have been made by (a) his Department, (b) its agencies, (c) its non-departmental public bodies and (d) other bodies for which his Department has responsibility in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Hain: It is the policy of the Northern Ireland Office, its agencies, non-departmental public bodies and, where appropriate, its sponsored organisations to make financial redress in accordance with the guidance set out in Chapter 18.7 and Annexes 18.1 and 18.2 of Government Accounting.
	The information you requested is set out in the following table:
	
		
			 NIO 200001 200102 200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Department1 1 
			 Agencies 1 
			 NDPB  
			 Other bodies

Neighbourhood Partnerships

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the elected representatives on each Neighbourhood Partnership in the four Belfast constituencies; and which political party each represents.

David Hanson: To date Neighbourhood Partnerships have been established in seven of the 13 Neighbourhood Renewal Areas in Belfast. Information on the elected representatives on each Neighbourhood Partnership in the four Belfast constituencies and which political party each represents has been set out.
	It should be noted that the boundary of the Colin Neighbourhood Renewal Area also falls into the Lagan Valley constituency.
	
		Inner North Belfast Partnership
		
			 Members Who they represent 
		
		
			 Carol Ni Chuilin Sinn Fein 
			 Ian Crozier Democratic Unionist Party 
		
	
	
		Tullycarnet Neighbourhood Partnership
		
			 Members Who they represent 
		
		
			 Tommy Jeffers Democratic Unionist Party 
			 Gareth Robinson Democratic Unionist Party 
			 Judith Cochrane Alliance Party 
		
	
	Inner East Belfast Neighbourhood Partnership
	No elected representatives sit on the Partnership board.
	Inner South Neighbourhood Partnership
	No elected representatives sit on the Partnership board.
	South West Belfast Partnership
	No elected representatives sit on the Partnership board.
	
		Lenadoon Neighbourhood Partnership
		
			 Members Who they represent 
		
		
			 Tim Attwood SDLP 
			 Michael Ferguson Sinn Fein 
			 Gerard O'Neill Sinn Fein 
		
	
	
		Colin Neighbourhood Partnership
		
			 Members Who they represent 
		
		
			 Cllr Patricia Lewsley Social Democratic and Labour Party 
			 Cllr Michael Ferguson Sinn Fein 
			 Cllr William Ward Ulster Unionist Party 
			 Cllr Angela Nelson Sinn Fein

Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the (a) meetings, (b) discussions and (c) correspondence he has had with the (i) Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable, (ii) Northern Ireland Victims Commissioner and (iii) Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission about the Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill.

David Hanson: On 7 November I met with the Chief Constable of the PSNI regarding the Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill prior to its introduction to Parliament.
	On 9 November I wrote to the Victims Commissioner and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commissioner to inform them of the Bill's introduction.
	I discussed the proposals within the Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill at a meeting with the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission on 15 November 2005. The Commission have offered to write to me following their consideration of the Bill.
	The proposals were originally published in May 2003.

Northern Ireland Employer Champions

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the work of the four Northern Ireland Employer Champions appointed in 2004 to help increase the number of employers addressing essential skills issues in the workplace.

Angela Smith: The four Employer Champions are helping the Department implement Essential Skills in the Workplace by demonstrating their commitment to the strategy in their own organisations and, where possible, influencing others to take action, raising the profile of Essential Skills in the press and attending employer-focused events.

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for which Departments of the Northern Ireland Office PricewaterhouseCoopers have been working on e-business strategies; on what date each contract with PricewaterhouseCoopers commenced; on what date the final documents were published; and what the cost was to each Department of each contract with Pricewaterhouse Coopers.

Angela Smith: The Government Departments in Northern Ireland that received advice from PricewaterhouseCoopers on their e-business strategies over the last five years and details of the relevant contracts are set out in the following table:
	
		
			 Department Date commenced Date final report published Cost () 
		
		
			 Department for Regional Development February 2001 Published on departmental websiteAugust 2001. 39,187 
			 Department of the Environment February 2001 Not published. 32,175 
			 Department of Finance and Personnel April 2001 Published on departmental websiteFebruary 2002. 45,750 
			 Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure April 2001 Not published. 34,912 
			 Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister June 2001 Published on departmental website30 November 2002. 39,500 
			 Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment July 2003 Published on departmental website11 June 2004. 29,700 
			 Department of Education November 2002 Not published. 12,100 
			  May 2003 Updated report published on departmental websiteFebruary 2004. 24,000 
			  February 2004 Report for Education Service not published. 10,000

Prisoners (Surgical Waiting Times)

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average time prisoners in Northern Ireland waited before having (a) hip and (b) knee replacement surgery was in each of the last five years.

Shaun Woodward: There are no prisoners in Northern Ireland Prison Service establishments currently on waiting lists for hip and knee replacement surgery and no prisoners have undergone such surgery within the past five years.

Prosecutions

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many motorists from the Republic of Ireland were (a) stopped by the Police Service for Northern Ireland for motoring offences and (b) were prosecuted for motoring offences in each of the last 10 years.

Shaun Woodward: The Police Service of Northern Ireland does not hold a central record which would identify the number of motorists from the Republic of Ireland who were stopped for motoring offences in each of the last 10 years. To obtain this information would involve a manual trawl of records at disproportionate cost.
	Statistics relating to prosecutions are available for the period 2000 to 2003 and are contained in the following table:
	
		Prosecutions of motorists from the Republic of Ireland for motoring offences 200003
		
			  Number of prosecutions 
		
		
			 2000 244 
			 2001 194 
			 2002 263 
			 2003 345

Psychologist Assessments (Children)

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) primary and (b) secondary school children in each (i) constituency and (ii) council district in Northern Ireland are on the waiting list for assessment by an educational psychologist; and what the average waiting time was in each case in the last period for which figures are available.

Angela Smith: This information is not readily available from the Education and Library Boards. I will write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.
	Data is not collected by constituency and district council area as Education and Library Board areas do not correspond to either constituency or district council areas. The response will therefore be by Education and Library Board and by primary and secondary sector.

Research and Development Grants

Kitty Ussher: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many research and development grants have been awarded to companies in Northern Ireland under the (a) SMART Micro, (b) SMART, (c) START-company only, (d) START-partnership, (e) COMPETE-Phase 1 and (f) COMPETE-Phase 2 programmes in each year for which figures are available; what the total value was of such grants in each year; what the total value is of private sector contributions to funded projects in each year and category; and what the equivalent information is for predecessor schemes in each of the previous five years.

Angela Smith: The following table details the totalvalue of the grants awarded from 1 April 2002 (inception of Invest NI) to date. Prior to that, records were held by individual organisations and are not readily available.
	
		
			  200203 200304 200405 200506 to 7 December 2005 
		
		
			 SMART Micro 
			 Number of grants awarded 0 3 1 0 
			 Total grant awarded () 0 28,000 10,000 0 
			 Private sector contribution () 0 30,440 23,000 0 
			  
			 SMART 
			 Number of grants awarded 4 16 10 8 
			 Total grant awarded () 264,937 671,538 478,932 379,457 
			 Private sector contribution () 369,502 496,629 409,840 269,155 
			  
			 STARTcompany only 
			 Number of grants awarded 3 1 6 2 
			 Total grant awarded () 4,465,670 1,725,000 5,703,965 2,675,787 
			 Private sector contribution () 8,705,561 1,867,423 11,398,328 3,604,887 
			  
			 STARTpartnership 
			 Number of grants awarded 1 2 0 2 
			 Total grant awarded () 160,557 520,149 0 965,868 
			 Private sector contribution () 240,836 945,404 0 1,448,892 
			  
			 COMPETE Ph 1 
			 Number of grants awarded 89 61 33 12 
			 Total grant awarded () 1,039,489 696,014 375,511 139,509 
			 Private sector contribution () 1,115,971 756,835 439,789 139,503 
			  
			 COMPETE Ph 2 
			 Number of grants awarded 58 52 43 13 
			 Total grant awarded () 6,188,496 5,103,581 4,584,297 2,108,304 
			 Private sector contribution () 13,789,014 11,999,447 9,172,070 4,456,818

Royal Victoria Hospital (Waiting Times)

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the waiting list for neurosurgery at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has carried out an analysis of the capacity within each trust to meet waiting time targets for 200506. Neurosurgery at the Royal Victoria Hospital was identified as a regional specialty in which there is insufficient capacity locally to meet the target. As a result, the trust has developed an action plan with Commissioners that will utilise additional independent sector capacity in Northern Ireland, Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. By March 2006 no one will be waiting longer than 12 months for neurosurgery in Northern Ireland.

Royal Group of Hospitals (Neurosurgery Nurses)

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many nurses were recruited to work in neurosurgery at the Royal Group of Hospitals in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

Shaun Woodward: The information requested is provided in the following table.
	
		Number of nurses recruited to work in neurosurgery at the Royal Group of Hospitals in each of the last five years
		
			  Headcount Whole-time equivalent 
		
		
			 2001 4 4.00 
			 2002 2 2.00 
			 2003 13 13.00 
			 2004 13 13.00 
			 2005 12 12.00 
		
	
	Note:
	The nursing figures include both qualified and unqualified nurses.
	Source:
	Royal Group of Hospitals HSS Trust.

Suicide

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people aged between 15 and 24 committed suicide in Northern Ireland in each of the last 20 years.

Angela Smith: The following table gives the number of deaths registered in Northern Ireland, in each year between 1985 and 2004, due to 'suicide and self-inflicted injury' 1 and 'undetermined injury whether accidentally or purposefully inflicted' 2 of people aged 15 to 24 years.
	1 International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes X60-X84, Y87.0 for years 200104 and Ninth Revision codes E950-E959 for years 19852000.
	2 International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes Y10-Y34, Y87.2 for years 200104 and Ninth Revision codes E980-E989 for years 19852000.
	
		Table: Number of registered deaths by year in Northern Ireland due to 'suicide and self-inflicted injury' and 'undetermined injury whether accidentally or purposefully inflicted' of persons aged 1524, 19852004
		
			   Registration year Number of registered deaths of persons aged 1524 due to 'suicide' or 'undetermined injury' 
		
		
			 1985 25 
			 1986 30 
			 1987 29 
			 1988 45 
			 1989 23 
			 1990 24 
			 1991 27 
			 1992 25 
			 1993 37 
			 1994 31 
			 1995 34 
			 1996 26 
			 1997 31 
			 1998 32 
			 1999 40 
			 2000 44 
			 2001 34 
			 2002 24 
			 2003 23 
			 2004 24

Tennis

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of Statefor Northern Ireland how much public funding has been spent on (a) tennis and (b) coaching young tennis players in the Province in each of the last 10 years.

David Hanson: The Sports Council for Northern Ireland (SCNI) is responsible for the development of Sport in NI including the distribution of funding to individual sports. The main sources of funding it provides are Exchequer and lottery.
	The Sports Council for Northern Ireland (SCNI) has given the following Exchequer and lottery funding to tennis activities in each of the last ten years.
	
		SCNI Exchequer funding -- 
		
			  Exchequer Lottery 
		
		
			 199596 (122) 222,600 
			 199697 (122) 187,750 
			 199798 (122) 583,473 
			 199899 (122) 346,260 
			 19992000 3,747.50 227,573 
			 200001 6,112 0 
			 200102 16,226.50 112,200 
			 200203 11,320 111,700 
			 200304 44,304 63,958 
			 200405 55,300 0 
		
	
	(122)No information available.
	In addition the Department of Finance and Personnel(DFP), Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) and Department for Social Development (DSD) have provided the following funding:
	
		DFP funding -- 
		
			  Tennis Tennis and other sports 
		
		
			 199697 2,500 0 
			 199798 0 12,000 
			 199899 3,040 0 
			 19992000 5,000 0 
			 200001 0 0 
			 200102 0 0 
			 200203 0 0 
			 200304 0 0 
			 200405 10,000 0 
			 200506 0 0 
		
	
	Includes Peace II funding to other sports projects.
	
		DARD funding -- 
		
			  Amount of funding  Reason for funding 
		
		
			 199596 0 n/a 
			 199697 0 n/a 
			 199798 94 2nd instalment of Woodland Grant Scheme (0.3ha planted in 1992 Loughgall Tennis Club) 
			 199899 0 n/a 
			 19992000 0 n/a 
			 200001 0 n/a 
			 200102 0 n/a 
			 200203 48 3rd and final instalment of Woodland Grant scheme as above 
			 200304 0 n/a 
			 200405 0 n/a 
		
	
	
		DSD funding -- 
		
			  Amount of funding 
		
		
			 199697 0 
			 199798 0 
			 199899 0 
			 19992000 82,854 
			 200001 92,945 
			 200102 0 
			 200203 0 
			 200304 0 
			 200405 0 
			 200506 (to date) 0

Unmanned Railway Crossings

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many unmanned crossings there are on the rail line between Ballymena and Ballykelly; and how regularly they are checked for safety purposes.

Shaun Woodward: Translink has advised that the Belfast to Londonderry railway line has 27 unmanned public road crossings and 92 private crossings between Ballymena and Ballykelly. The private crossings are checked at least twice a week by track patrol staff with a full inspection carried out by infrastructure engineering staff twice each year and a risk assessment every five years.
	Public road crossings are checked at least twice a week by track patrol staff to ensure that all equipment is intact and functioning, and are also subject to a monthly inspection and maintenance regime by signalling technicians. There is also an annual safety examination of all public road crossings by a combined group of inspectors from NI Railways, PSNI and DRD Roads Service.
	In addition to the routine inspections carried out by Northern Ireland Railways, a 'Crossings Management Group' consisting of experts from within NI Railways and the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company meets bi-monthly and prioritises crossings for additional inspection and surveys based on a combination of risk and reports of misuse.

Water Service

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many water connections to consumers in Northern Ireland are metered; and how many of these connections also serve a domestic pipeline.

Shaun Woodward: The chief executive of Water Service (Mrs. Katharine Bryan) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
	Letter from Katharine Bryan, dated 19 December 2005
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question about how many water connections to consumers in Northern Ireland are metered and how many of these connections also serve a domestic pipeline (38560). I have been asked to reply as this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Water Service.
	Water Service's current policy is to fit water meters to properties which are not used exclusively for domestic purposes. These include industrial, commercial, agricultural, public buildings and dwelling houses, which are also used for business purposes. 73,650 properties are currently metered.
	50,181 of these properties currently attract the free domestic allowance of 200 cubic metres per annum, since they are deemed to include an element of domestic usage. Our metering records do not at present identify how many of these are dwelling houses.

Water Service

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the standing charge was for each diameter of water supply pipe in each of the last five years.

Shaun Woodward: The chief executive of Water Service (Mrs. Katharine Bryan) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
	Letter from Katharine Bryan, dated 19 December 2005
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question about what the standing charge was for each diameter of water supply pipe in each of the last five years. (38600). I have been asked to reply as this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Water Service.
	The table below lists the standing charges for all water supply pipe sizes for the past five years.
	
		
		
			 Pipe size (mm) 200102 200203 200304 200405 200506 
		
		
			 Up to 15 46 46 46 46 47 
			 1620 69 69 69 69 71 
			 2125 92 92 92 92 94 
			 2640 173 173 173 173 177 
			 4150 289 289 289 289 296 
			 5175 578 578 578 578 593 
			 76100 1,040 1,040 1,040 1,040 1,066 
			 100 1,502 1,502 1,502 1,502 1,540 
		
	
	Standing charges are not payable where the internal diameter of the supply pipe is 20 millimetres or less, provided that (i) consumption for the period is less than the domestic allowance of 200 cubic metres per year where the allowance applies; or (ii) consumption is nil if the domestic allowance does not apply.

School Building

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects the building work on the new Foyle and Londonderry college and Ebrington school to (a) begin and (b) be concluded.

Angela Smith: A master plan is currently being produced for the Clooney lands which will inform decisions on the utilisation of the site to accommodate education and other facilities. Foyle and Londonderry College, Ebrington Primary School and the Western Education and Library Board will be involved in this exercise. At this stage of the process it would be premature to indicate a commencement date for building work.

HEALTH

Accident and Emergency Services

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will assess the demand on accident and emergency services at Southampton General Hospital between midnight and 4 am on 4 December compared with the corresponding time and date in 2004.

Caroline Flint: This information is not held centrally.

Alcohol

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many finished consultant episodes relating to alcohol there have been in England in each year since 1997, broken down by (a) patients aged under 18 years and (b) patients aged 18 years and over, (i) in total and (ii) broken down by strategic health authority.

Caroline Flint: The information in the following table gives finished consultant episodes relating to alcohol in England in each year from 1997 to 2004, for patients under 18 years and patients aged 18 years and over. This is by strategic health authority and by total.
	
		Counts of finished consultant episodes where there was a primary diagnosis code for selected alcohol related diseases
		
			  199798 199899 
			 Strategic health authority of residence Aged under 18 Aged 18 and over Age not known Aged under 18 Aged 18 and over Age not known 
		
		
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Strategic HA 152 1,188  115 1,385 1 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Strategic HA 159 785 1 148 843  
			 Essex Strategic HA 56 871 1 48 798  
			 North West London Strategic HA 52 1,796 5 47 1,847 14 
			 North Central London Strategic HA 43 1,060 4 28 1,034 4 
			 North East London Strategic HA 47 1,117 2 48 1,129 1 
			 South East London Strategic HA 72 1,441 2 48 1,364  
			 South West London Strategic HA 110 905 4 91 860 1 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Strategic HA 240 L428 9 195 1,886 1 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic HA 282 1,156  214 1,252 2 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire Strategic HA 110 583 2 199 1,492 3 
			 West Yorkshire Strategic HA 225 1,609 3 207 1,464 2 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic HA 263 2,421 2 222 2,339 1 
			 Greater Manchester Strategic HA 280 2,995 1 252 2,833 1 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic HA 345 4,069 2 299 3,774 3 
			 Thames Valley Strategic HA 89 1,106 3 102 1,028 5 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic HA 112 1,351 2 119 1,579 2 
			 Kent and Medway Strategic HA 125 692 1 125 725 1 
			 Surrey and Sussex Strategic HA 173 1,629 7 173 1,581 8 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic HA 141 1,482  150 1,505 2 
			 South West Peninsula Strategic HA 151 1,257  108 1,154  
			 Dorset and Somerset Strategic HA 95 835  95 839 1 
			 South Yorkshire Strategic HA 128 953  148 1,016  
			 Trent Strategic HA 247 2,006  205 2,400 1 
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Strategic HA 122 878 2 116 1,111  
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire Strategic HA 182 1,344  142 1,256 1 
			 Birmingham and the Black Country Strategic HA 212 2,550 5 208 2,222 1 
			 West Midlands South Strategic HA 183 1,472 1 175 1,292 6 
			 Scotland 4 21  2 29  
			 EnglandNot Otherwise Specified 10 462 14
			 Wales 17 157 1 23 235 50 
			 Foreign (incl. Isle of Man and Channel Islands) 4 37  10 41  
			 Not known 94 1,392 711 20 1,021 43 
			 Northern Ireland  7   17  
			 Total 4,525 43,055 785 4,082 43,351 155 
		
	
	
		
			  19992000 200001 
			 Strategic health authority of residence Aged under 18 Aged 18 and over Age not known Aged under 18 Aged 18 and over Age not known 
		
		
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Strategic HA 145 1,574  147 1,695 30 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Strategic HA 158 916 2 124 774  
			 Essex Strategic HA 58 902  61 955 2 
			 North West London Strategic HA 60 1,445 11 59 1,231 3 
			 North Central London Strategic HA 53 1,044 7 51 966 2 
			 North East London Strategic HA 56 1,244 1 32 1,072 1 
			 South East London Strategic HA 73 1,516 2 53 1,308 1 
			 South West London Strategic HA 100 1,021 2 114 996 3 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Strategic HA 201 1,931 2 220 1,872 1 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic HA 239 1,274 1 242 1,269 1 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire Strategic HA 253 1,592 2 225 1,412 2 
			 West Yorkshire Strategic HA 238 1,660 3 168 1,874  
			 Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic HA 315 2,216 3 296 2,239 2 
			 Greater Manchester Strategic HA 295 3,032  343 3,094 2 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic HA 331 3,976 3 322 4,317 2 
			 Thames Valley Strategic HA 112 1,027 2 70 1,113 10 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic HA 140 1,616  137 1,619 2 
			 Kent and Medway Strategic HA 129 808 3 102 805 2 
			 Surrey and Sussex Strategic HA 211 1,439 9 238 1,407 13 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic HA 127 1,513 3 123 1,296  
			 South West Peninsula Strategic HA 137 1,239 1 112 1,513  
			 Dorset and Somerset Strategic HA 90 1,066 1 98 890 1 
			 South Yorkshire Strategic HA 171 1,042  142 1,193  
			 Trent Strategic HA 260 2,754  236 2,679  
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Strategic HA 126 1,084 1 101 1,003  
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire Strategic HA 169 1,219 1 136 1,167  
			 Birmingham and the Black Country Strategic HA 287 2,240 6 274 2,303  
			 West Midlands South Strategic HA 204 1,410  196 1,324 1 
			 Scotland 6 42  4 31  
			 EnglandNot Otherwise Specified5 573 8 
			 Wales 26 266 8 16 113  
			 Foreign (incl. Isle of Man and Channel Islands) 13 51  10 50 2 
			 Not known 37 1,154 15 32 581 26 
			 Northern Ireland  9   9  
			 Total 4,820 45,322 89 4,489 44,743 117 
		
	
	
		
			  200102 200203 
			 Strategic health authority of residence Aged under 18 Aged 18 and over Age not known Aged under 18 Aged 18 and over Age not known 
		
		
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Strategic HA 133 1,759 1 116J 1,885  
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Strategic HA 177 916 2 148 979 1 
			 Essex Strategic HA 43 970  54 1,013  
			 North West London Strategic HA 76 1,423 28 60 1,637 3 
			 North Central London Strategic HA 48 1,032 3 59 1,141 2 
			 North East London Strategic HA 52 1,199 2 65 1,279 1 
			 South East London Strategic HA 48 1,229  63 1,578 1 
			 South West London Strategic HA 128 866 2 147 987 1 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Strategic HA 172 1,950  161 1,950  
			 County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic HA 186 1,328  123 1,224  
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire Strategic HA 225 1,443 4 170 1,437 1 
			 West Yorkshire Strategic HA 195 1,888 1 204 1,927  
			 Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic HA 291 2,653 3 275 2,584 4 
			 Greater Manchester Strategic HA 289 3,310  273 3,266 2 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic HA 325 4,921 3 335 5,039  
			 Thames Valley Strategic HA 132 1,102 10 91 1,181  
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic HA 120 1,687 1 153 1,837  
			 Kent and Medway Strategic HA 154 798 1 117 948 1 
			 Surrey and Sussex Strategic HA 300 1,501 7 255 1,748 11 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic HA 144 1,460 1 127 1,591 1 
			 South West Peninsula Strategic HA 111 1,661  132 1,797  
			 Dorset and Somerset Strategic HA 97 895 1 87 928 1 
			 South Yorkshire Strategic HA 104 1,069 5 90 1,235 4 
			 Trent Strategic HA 260 2,548  226 2,517  
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Strategic HA 92 943  87 1,148 1 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire Strategic HA 154 1,223  145 1,303  
			 Birmingham and the Black Country Strategic HA 248 2,574 1 188 2,797 2 
			 West Midlands South Strategic HA 142 1,205  143 1,473  
			 Scotland 2 38  6 29  
			 EnglandNot Otherwise Specified 7 627 6 8 676 11 
			 Wales 23 140  18 125  
			 Foreign (incl. Isle of Man and Channel Islands) 7 63 1 11 67  
			 Not known 43 671 42 28 549 37 
			 Northern Ireland  9   13  
			 Total 4,528 47,101 125 4,165 49,888 85 
		
	
	
		
			  200304 
			 Strategic health authority of residence Aged under 18 Aged 18 and over Age not known 
		
		
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Strategic HA 147 2,206  
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Strategic HA 134 1,140  
			 Essex Strategic HA 64 1,238 1 
			 North West London Strategic HA 87 1,771 4 
			 North Central London Strategic HA 62 1,213 2 
			 North East London Strategic HA 86 1,508 1 
			 South East London Strategic HA 89 1,736  
			 South West London Strategic HA 150 1,225 1 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Strategic HA 119 2,068 2 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic HA 143 1,554  
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire Strategic HA 253 1,661  
			 West Yorkshire Strategic HA 186 2,076  
			 Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic HA 253 2,836 1 
			 Greater Manchester Strategic HA 345 3,860  
			 Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic HA 366 5,388 1 
			 Thames Valley Strategic HA 119 1,260  
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic HA 186 1,842 1 
			 Kent and Medway Strategic HA 148 1,037 1 
			 Surrey and Sussex Strategic HA 269 1,825 6 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic HA 173 1,808 1 
			 South West Peninsula Strategic HA 203 2,012 10 
			 Dorset and Somerset Strategic HA 86 1,022  
			 South Yorkshire Strategic HA 102 1,506  
			 Trent Strategic HA 227 3,049  
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Strategic HA 97 1,484 1 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire Strategic HA 185 1,572  
			 Birmingham and the Black Country Strategic HA 241 2,849 5 
			 West Midlands South Strategic HA 152 1,447 1 
			 Scotland 6 60  
			 EnglandNot Otherwise Specified 17 831 7 
			 Wales 12 151  
			 Foreign (incl. Isle of Man and Channel Islands) 9 79 6 
			 Not known 30 518 39 
			 Northern Ireland  24  
			 Total 4,746 55,856 91 
		
	
	Note:
	Alcohol related diseases defined as following ICD-10 codes recorded in primary diagnosis:
	F10: Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol
	K70: Alcoholic liver disease
	T51: Toxic effect of alcohol
	NHS Hospitals, England 199798 to 200304

Alcohol

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many admissions to hospital via accident and emergency departments had an alcohol-related diagnosis in each year since 1997, broken down by (a) those aged 18 and over and (b) those aged under 18 (i) in total and (ii) broken down by strategic health authority area.

Caroline Flint: The information in the table gives the number of admissions to hospital via accident and emergency departments with an alcohol-related diagnosis in each year from 1997 to 2004 broken down by those aged 18 and over and those aged under 18. This is broken down by strategic health authority area and in total.
	
		Counts of finished admission episodes where there was a primary diagnosis code for selected alcohol(123) related diseases and admission methods(124)
		
			  199798 199899 
			 Strategic health authority (SHA) of residence Aged under 18 Aged 18 and over Age not known Aged under 18 Aged 18 and over Age not known 
		
		
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Strategic HA 135 413  98 483 1 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Strategic HA 152 381 1 143 454  
			 Essex Strategic HA 49 464  42 395  
			 North West London Strategic HA 51 736 4 44 888 9 
			 North Central London Strategic HA 43 648 3 28 607 3 
			 North East London Strategic HA 40 780 2 44 788 1 
			 South East London Strategic HA 70 703 2 47 686  
			 South West London Strategic HA 94 447 4 78 436 1 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Strategic HA 220 606 7 184 759 1 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic HA 260 465  200 479 1 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire SHA 100 282 2 190 960 1 
			 West Yorkshire Strategic HA 222 879 3 203 833 2 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic HA 231 1,035 2 196 977 1 
			 Greater Manchester Strategic HA 265 1,211 1 239 1,269 1 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic HA 331 1,798 2 290 1,756 3 
			 Thames Valley Strategic HA 82 528 3 93 477 5 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic HA 102 491 1 110 554 2 
			 Kent and Medway Strategic HA 108 341 1 107 382 1 
			 Surrey and Sussex Strategic HA 156 668 2 162 670 2 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic HA 108 433  137 493 2 
			 South West Peninsula Strategic HA 138 491  97 398  
			 Dorset and Somerset Strategic HA 87 416  85 416 1 
			 South Yorkshire Strategic HA 122 515  144 528  
			 Trent Strategic HA 233 855  195 874 1 
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland SHA 109 251 2 108 294  
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire Strategic HA 168 544  134 506 1 
			 Birmingham and the Black Country Strategic HA 204 1,112 4 201 1,052 1 
			 West Midlands South Strategic HA 172 806 1 161 740 2 
			 Scotland 4 15  2 20  
			 EnglandNot Otherwise Specified 9 318 11
			 Wales 15 58 1 22 128 26 
			 Foreign (incl. Isle of Man and Channel Islands) 4 23  9 29  
			 Not known 89 478 616 18 613 19 
			 Northern Ireland  4   7  
			 Total 4,173 19,195 675 3,811 19,951 88 
		
	
	
		
			  19992000 200001 
			 Strategic health authority (SHA) of residence Aged under 18 Aged 18 and over Age not known Aged under 18 Aged 18 and over Age not known 
		
		
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Strategic HA 134 528  134 526 9 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Strategic HA 152 458 2 117 405  
			 Essex Strategic HA 57 442  57 499 1 
			 North West London Strategic HA 49 676 7 54 781 3 
			 North Central London Strategic HA 50 661 7 48 661 2 
			 North East London Strategic HA 50 887 1 30 732 1 
			 South East London Strategic HA 68 733 1 51 696 1 
			 South West London Strategic HA 86 471 2 101 508 2 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Strategic HA 187 778 2 203 653 1 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic HA 229 519 1 224 503 1 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire SHA 246 957 2 213 751  
			 West Yorkshire Strategic HA 231 929 3 163 1,049  
			 Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic HA 276 970 2 252 929  
			 Greater Manchester Strategic HA 281 1,370  334 1,358 1 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic HA 314 1,809 3 313 1,925 2 
			 Thames Valley Strategic HA 101 520 2 66 597 10 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic HA 132 551  130 528 2 
			 Kent and Medway Strategic HA 122 379 3 92 410 2 
			 Surrey and Sussex Strategic HA 198 652 2 229 720 7 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic HA 120 548 3 107 407  
			 South West Peninsula Strategic HA 123 432 1 104 465  
			 Dorset and Somerset Strategic HA 83 489 1 93 299 1 
			 South Yorkshire Strategic HA 168 524  137 518  
			 Trent Strategic HA 252 1,012  228 1,034  
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland SHA 123 360 1 97 370  
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire Strategic HA 161 521 1 130 482  
			 Birmingham and the Black Country Strategic HA 275 1,086 4 263 1,144  
			 West Midlands South Strategic HA 191 845  183 772 1 
			 Scotland 6 33  3 26  
			 EnglandNot Otherwise Specified5 389 8 
			 Wales 22 150 5 14 69  
			 Foreign (incl. Isle of Man and Channel Islands) 13 24  10 29 2 
			 Not known 33 661 14 30 321 15 
			 Northern Ireland  3   4  
			 Total 4,533 20,978 70 4,215 20,560 72 
		
	
	
		
			  200102 200203 
			 Strategic health authority (SHA) of residence Aged under 18 Aged 18 and over Age not known Aged under 18 Aged 18 and over Age not known 
		
		
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Strategic HA 122 529 1 106 487  
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Strategic HA 169 430 1 141 400  
			 Essex Strategic HA 42 457  51 441  
			 North West London Strategic HA 60 797 20 58 823 3 
			 North Central London Strategic HA 44 631 3 57 692 2 
			 North East London Strategic HA 49 815 2 61 859 1 
			 South East London Strategic HA 38 658  58 781 1 
			 South West London Strategic HA 114 471 1 125 515 1 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Strategic HA 147 618  151 696  
			 County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic HA 178 487  119 499  
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire SHA 219 814 4 165 810 1 
			 West Yorkshire Strategic HA 190 1,078 1 200 1,028  
			 Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic HA 252 1,110 2 239 1,081 4 
			 Greater Manchester Strategic HA 278 1,401  262 1,331  
			 Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic HA 314 2,253 3 319 2,243  
			 Thames Valley Strategic HA 125 614 10 86 636  
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic HA 112 572 1 144 628  
			 Kent and Medway Strategic HA 146 485 1 115 504 1 
			 Surrey and Sussex Strategic HA 283 706 4 243 819 4 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic HA 133 570 1 118 537 1 
			 South West Peninsula Strategic HA 102 499  122 565  
			 Dorset and Somerset Strategic HA 92 274 1 80 246 1 
			 South Yorkshire Strategic HA 102 417 1 87 536 1 
			 Trent Strategic HA 246 878  204 960  
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland SHA 90 264  79 327  
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire Strategic HA 143 528  131 628  
			 Birmingham and the Black Country Strategic HA 242 1,146 1 181 1,246 2 
			 West Midlands South Strategic HA 140 686  136 788  
			 Scotland 1 27  6 19  
			 EnglandNot Otherwise Specified 7 437 6 8 423 10 
			 Wales 21 70  17 52  
			 Foreign (incl. Isle of Man and Channel Islands) 6 39  10 30  
			 Not known 39 368 12 25 303 9 
			 Northern Ireland  4   6  
			 Total 4,246 21,133 76 3,904 21,939 42 
		
	
	
		
			  200304 
			 Strategic health authority (SHA) of residence Aged under 18 Aged 18 and over Age not known 
		
		
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Strategic HA 138 664  
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Strategic HA 128 501  
			 Essex Strategic HA 63 607 1 
			 North West London Strategic HA 84 1,054 4 
			 North Central London Strategic HA 61 741 2 
			 North East London Strategic HA 81 1,000 1 
			 South East London Strategic HA 86 972  
			 South West London Strategic HA 133 682 1 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Strategic HA 109 758 2 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic HA 134 625  
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire SHA 249 840  
			 West Yorkshire Strategic HA 185 1,118  
			 Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic HA 225 1,118 1 
			 Greater Manchester Strategic HA 331 1,673  
			 Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic HA 348 2,569 1 
			 Thames Valley Strategic HA 113 694  
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic HA 173 609 1 
			 Kent and Medway Strategic HA 142 532 1 
			 Surrey and Sussex Strategic HA 261 861 2 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic HA 164 659 1 
			 South West Peninsula Strategic HA 187 646 2 
			 Dorset and Somerset Strategic HA 82 263  
			 South Yorkshire Strategic HA 100 562  
			 Trent Strategic HA 215 1,109  
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland SHA 89 475  
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire Strategic HA 167 784  
			 Birmingham and the Black Country Strategic HA 233 1,437 4 
			 West Midlands South Strategic HA 148 674 1 
			 Scotland 6 41  
			 EnglandNot Otherwise Specified 17 580 7 
			 Wales 11 76  
			 Foreign (incl. Isle of Man and Channel Islands) 9 46 5 
			 Not known 29 337 22 
			 Northern Ireland  8  
			 Total 4,501 25,315 59 
		
	
	(123)Alcohol related diseases defined as following ICD-10 codes recorded in primary diagnosis:
	F10: Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol
	K70: Alcoholic liver disease
	T51: Toxic effect of alcohol
	(124)Selected Methods of Admission:
	Emergency (via accident and emergency services including the casualty department of the provider)
	Emergency (other means, including patients who arrive via accident and emergency department of another healthcare provider)
	NHS Hospitals, England 199798 to 200304

Alzheimer's Disease

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will estimate the cost of (a) treating sufferers of Alzheimer's disease with drugs according to National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines and (b) providing such sufferers with residential care in lieu of drug treatment.

Liam Byrne: The Department has not made such an estimate in the difference in costs between treating sufferers of Alzheimer's disease with drugs according to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines and providing such sufferers with residential care in lieu of drug treatment.

Ambulance Service

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many times East Midlands ambulance response times in North Nottinghamshire have been in excess of 30 minutes in each of the last 10 years.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 12 December 2005
	The information requested is not centrally collected. The data which the Department does collect on ambulance response times is published in the statistical bulletin, Ambulance services, England: 200405. This is available in the Library and on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/11/36/79/04113679.pdf.

Ambulance Service

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many assaults were recorded on Ambulance Service staff in each trust while on duty in each of the last 10 years; how many prosecutions resulted; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not held centrally in the format requested.
	Estimated violent or abusive incidents in NHS ambulance trusts for 200001, 200102 and 200203 are shown in the table. Information relating to the number of physical assaults for NHS ambulance trusts in England for 200405 will be published shortly.
	Information about the number of prosecutions resulting from reports of assaults on ambulance staff was not collected centrally for the period 1995 to 2003. For 200405, the number of prosecutions identified involving assaults on ambulance staff in England totalled 100.
	
		
			  Violent incidents 
			 Ambulance trust name 200203 200102 200001 
		
		
			 Avon Ambulance Service NHS Trust 163 31 17 
			 Bedfordshire and Herts Ambulance and Paramedic Service NHS Trust 75 48 45 
			 Coventry and Warwickshire Ambulance NHS Trust 39 37 14 
			 Cumbria Ambulance Service NHS Trust 54 34 13 
			 Dorset Ambulance NHS Trust 72 39 55 
			 East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust 119 89 103 
			 East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust 290 233 161 
			 Essex Ambulance Service NHS Trust 66 28 18 
			 Gloucestershire Ambulance Services NHS Trust 60 30 7 
			 Greater Manchester Ambulance Service NHS Trust 277 304 119 
			 Hampshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 75 81 168 
			 Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service NHS Trust 101 18 8 
			 Kent Ambulance NHS Trust 55 N/A 59 
			 Lancashire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 104 161 112 
			 Lincolnshire Ambulance and Health Transport Services NHS Trust 86 67 46 
			 London Ambulance Service NHS Trust 2,211 2,158 N/A 
			 Mersey Regional Ambulance Service NHS Trust 67 60 75 
			 North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust 167 229 544 
			 Oxfordshire Ambulance NHS Trust 72 35 39 
			 Royal Berkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 33 39 46 
			 South Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 52 173 96 
			 Staffordshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 78 26 30 
			 Surrey Ambulance Service NHS Trust 131 122 120 
			 Sussex Ambulance Service NHS Trust 301 221 7 
			 Tees East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 129 105 87 
			 Two Shires Ambulance NHS Trust 88 81 134 
			 West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust 186 154 171 
			 West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service NHS Trust 183 65 68 
			 Westcountry Ambulance Services NHS Trust 70 110 94 
			 Wiltshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 8 N/A 1 
			 Total 5,412 4,778 2,457 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health (DH)

Ambulance Service

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1) what estimate she has made of the cost of (a) IT, (b) redundancies, (c) property and (d) other costs of merging the Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire ambulance services;
	(2)  what estimate she has made of the (a) short, (b) medium and (c) long-term savings of merging the Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire ambulance services.

Caroline Flint: It is for the local national health service to make estimates into costs of reconfiguring local NHS services.
	However, Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority (SHA) has informed the Department that the independent consultants who reviewed the options for the ambulance service reconfiguration, set out broad estimates of costs and savings in a report published on the Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire SHA public website at: www.agwsha.nhs.uk/pdf/pricewaterhouserep05.pdf
	The report sets out costs for some redundancies at senior level. However, as planned structure and siting has not yet been finalised, savings and other costs such as property costs and transitional costs cannot yet be estimated.

Ambulance Service

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many incident prioritisation systems are in operation in the Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire ambulance services; how they would be unified in the event of a merger of the ambulance services; and what estimate she has made of what the unification would cost.

Caroline Flint: I am informed by Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire strategic health authority that there are two incident prioritisation systems in operation in the Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire ambulance services. Two of the three trusts operate the same system.
	It has not yet been agreed how these systems would be unified or what the cost of unification would be as the planned structure of the new ambulance trust has not yet been finalised.

Ambulance Service

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will assess the level of demand on Hampshire Ambulance Trust for ambulance services between midnight and four am on 4 December 2005 compared with the corresponding time and date in 2004.

Caroline Flint: This information is not collected centrally. The data which the Department does collect on ambulance response times is published in the statistical bulletin, Ambulance services, England: 200405. This is available in the Library and on the Department's website at:
	http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/11/36/79/04113679.pdf

Bone Fractures

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the incidence of fractures in (a) the UK population and (b) in the under fives was in each of the last five years;
	(2)  what the incidence of fractures was in the under fives in each year from 1970 to 1975.

Caroline Flint: Information on the incidence of all fractures is not collected centrally. Information is collected centrally on people with fractures admitted to hospital as an in-patient, but this excludes a large proportion of fractures that are treated without requiring in-patient admission.

Carers

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Healthwhat steps she is taking to promote a better understanding of the Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004 in England with respect to (a) individual assessments for carers and (b) the role of local authorities in working in partnership.

Liam Byrne: The Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004 has been warmly welcomed by carers and the organisations that represent them.
	The Act requires local authorities to inform carers that they may be entitled to an assessment of their needs. The Act also requires that when a local authority requests another pubic authority, such as an education, housing or health body, for assistance in planning services for a carer, that authority must give due consideration to that request.
	Monitoring is being undertaken through the Commission for Social Care Inspection's performance assessment framework and data on carers' services is being collected. However, it is too early to have hard data on the effect of the new Act on carers at this stage.

Carers

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps her Department is taking to enhance the rights of carers;
	(2)  if she will meet care organisations to discuss the merits of a carers' commissioner.

Liam Byrne: We have supported legislation which gives new rights to carers. The Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000 strengthens the rights of carers to an assessment of their own needs as carers and involves a new right to a carers assessment. It gives local councils mandatory duties to support carers by providing services to carers directly and in the provision of breaks, and as well, directly supporting carers by providing direct payment for carers services.
	The Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004 builds on previous legislation and makes changes to the existing law around carers services.
	There is now a duty on councils to inform carers of their right to an assessment of their needs. When assessing carers councils must also take into account whether the carer works or wishes to work, undertakes or wishes to undertake education, training or leisure activities. The Act also facilitates co-operation between authorities in relation to the provision of services that are relevant to carers.
	Further proposals will be brought forward in the forthcoming White Paper on social care and health.
	I would be happy to meet with care organisations to discuss the merits of a carers' commissioner.

Carers

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (a) strategies and (b) policies her Department is developing to enhance the rights of carers; and what discussions she has had with local government representatives on this topic.

Liam Byrne: This Government are the first ever to recognise the contribution and concerns of all carers formally and are supporting carers on a number of fronts through the work of several departments.
	We have supported two pieces of legislation which give new rights to carers. The Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000 strengthens the rights of carers to an assessment of their own needs as carers and involves a new right to a carer's assessment. It gives local councils mandatory duties to support carers by providing services to carers directly and in the provision of breaks, and as well, directly supporting carers by providing direct payment for carers' services.
	The Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004 builds on previous legislation and makes changes to the existing law around carers services.
	There is now a duty on councils to inform carers of their right to an assessment of their needs. When assessing carers councils must also take into account whether the carer works or wishes to work, undertakes or wishes to undertake education, training or leisure activities. The Act also facilitates co-operation between authorities in relation to the provision of services that are relevant to carers.
	Further proposals will be brought forward in the forthcoming White Paper on social care and health.
	I will continue to meet with local government representatives in the future as appropriate.

Children's Hospices

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to enforce passporting of funding by primary care trusts to children's hospices.

Liam Byrne: In line with our guidance National Standards, Local Action in the three years to March 2008 80 per cent. of national health service funding will go direct to primary care trusts (PCTs) to give them control in shaping services to meet local needs. PCTs, along with their local partners and stakeholders, are in the best position to judge how the available funding can be used effectively in providing a range of palliative care services for children and young people.
	On the 29 November, we launched a guide for the commissioners of palliative care for children and young people Commissioning Children's and Young People's Palliative Care Services. This practical guide will stimulate improvements in commissioning and promote quality care for children, young people and their families, in a range of settings, for example, palliative care at home, in hospital or in a hospice.

Chiropodists (Registration)

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date it will become a requirement for health care practitioners working as chiropodists to be registered with the Health Professions Council in order to use the title chiropodist; and whether exemption will be given after this date for health care practitioners whose applications to be placed on the register are waiting to be processed.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 12 December 2005
	The date from which it became a requirement for health professionals working as a chiropodist or podiatrist to be registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC) was 9 July 2005. Health professionals whose application was received by the HPC before the deadline can continue to use the protected title while their application is being processed. Applications received after this deadline will not be dealt with as part of the grandparenting process.

Cholesterol

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps are being taken to treat adults who suffer from high cholesterol;
	(2)  what measures the Government are taking to encourage adults to take responsibility for their cholesterol levels.

Caroline Flint: The Government provides practical guidance on how consumers can reduce the saturated fat in their diets through healthy eating advice, and increase physical activity. The Choosing Health White Paper, food and health action plan and physical activity plan all set out actions to deliver improvements in diet and physical activity.
	The first route of managing raised cholesterol levels is through lifestyle modification. If required, this can be followed by medication in the form of statins. The quality and outcomes framework of the new general practitioner (GP) contract also includes indicators that encourage GPs to measure and control cholesterol in patients with cardiovascular disease, including diabetes.
	The Government are also committed to support people by a new kind of personal health resource in the form of national health service health trainers, who will work with individuals to develop personal health plans as a tool to identify their own priorities for health to make necessary lifestyle changes.

Cholesterol

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to communicate the risk factors for heart disease to the general public.

Caroline Flint: The Department, working with other non-governmental organisations, has strong communications programmes that highlight the risk factors for heart disease. These include messages to promote a healthy, balanced diet, becoming more physically active, moderating alcohol intake and highlighting the dangers of smoking and second hand smoke.
	The Department produces a family of free consumer magazines, which give health messages and regularly feature articles that communicate the risk factors for heart disease and promote a healthier lifestyle. It has also supported the production of a toolkit for healthprofessionals to develop a strategy to reduce hypertension. The Food Standards Agency has also launched a high profile consumer awareness campaign to bring the 6 gram per day target on salt consumption to people's attention.

Dentistry

Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 9 November 2005, Official Report, column 17WS, on national health service dentistry, if she will break down the dentists recruited from 'local international recruitment' by country of origin; and how many (a) are registered with the General Dental Council and (b) have been offered places in (i) general dental service practices, (ii) salaried primary care dental services and (iii) the hospital dental service.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 28 November 2005
	This information was not collected by country of origin. However, we are aware that the majority of the dentists were recruited from Poland, with smaller numbers from Germany, Spain and Portugal.
	Of the local international recruits, all are registered with the General Dental Council; otherwise, they would not be able to work in dental practice and so would not have been eligible to be included in the Department's data collection for the 1,000 dentist target, which only counted newly recruited dentists in practice on 31 October 2005.
	We do not collect routine information about the type of national health service dental services in which international recruits are working.
	However, the 1,000 dentists targets covered primary care dental services and none of the 1,000 dentists were employed in the hospital dental service. The vast majority were employed under a personal dental services (PDS) contract and a much smaller number under general dental services. A small number of the PDS dentists were employed in the community dental service as salaried PDS dentists.

Dentistry

Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 9 November 2005, Official Report, column 17WS, on national health service dentistry, what schemes were used in the domestic recruitment of 88 new dentists.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 28 November 2005
	Domestic recruitment was undertaken via the keeping in touch scheme, which provides advice and support for dentists returning from a career break. The Department has a network of retaining and returning advisers, located in each of the post graduate dental deaneries, offering advice to returning dentists and arranging returning to practice schemes. The 88 dentists is a whole-time equivalent figure and was compiled from returns submitted by the retaining and returning advisers to the Department.

Dentistry

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in Beverley and Holderness were registered with an NHS dentist in each of the last 10 years for which records are available.

Rosie Winterton: The information is in the table.
	
		Number of people registered with an NHS dentist in Beverley and Holderness constituency in September each year
		
			  Number of patients 
		
		
			 1997 38,019 
			 1998 34,290 
			 1999 36,411 
			 2000 44,170 
			 2001 44,171 
			 2002 43,639 
			 2003 42,256 
			 2004 38,258 
			 2005 37,488 
		
	
	Note:
	This information was provided by the Dental Practice Board and relates to patients registered with dentists whose practice address postcodes are within the constituency boundary.
	Source:
	Dental Practice Board

Dentistry

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS dentists there were in Beverley and Holderness in each of the last 10 years for which records are available.

Rosie Winterton: The information is set out in the table.
	
		General dental services (GDS) and personal dental services (PDS), number of dentists in Beverley and Holderness parliamentary constituency as at 30 September each year
		
			  Beverley and Holderness 
		
		
			 1997 24 
			 1998 27 
			 1999 33 
			 2000 33 
			 2001 32 
			 2002 34 
			 2003 30 
			 2004 30 
			 2005 31 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Data includes all notifications of dentists joining or leaving the GDS or PDS, received by the Dental Practice Board, up to 19 October 2005. Figures for the numbers of dentists at specified dates may vary depending upon the notification period, e.g. data with a later notification period will include more recent notifications of dentists joining or leaving the GDS or PDS.
	2.Dentists include principals, assistants and trainees. Prison contracts have been excluded from the data.
	3.The postcode of the Dental Practice was used to allocate dentists to specific geographic areas. Constituency areas have been defined using the Office for National Statistics All Fields Postcode Directory.
	Source:
	Dental Practice Board

Dentistry

Geoffrey Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received from dentists who have indicated their intention to leave the NHS if the new contract is introduced; and what steps her Department is taking to retain them.

Rosie Winterton: The Department has received a number of representations from dentists who are considering whether or not to take up a new national health service dental contract.
	The Department has taken a range of steps to promote the benefits of the new contracts to dentists. The acting chief dental officer and other professional dental officers have attended a large number of local meetings with dentists to discuss the reforms. The reforms are designed to make the NHS a more attractive place for dentists to work by removing the 'treadmill' effect caused by the current fee-per-item system of remuneration, providing a guaranteed annual NHS income with earnings guaranteed for three years at the level of dentists' current NHS commitment, reducing the number of courses of treatment expected over a 12-month period by 5 per cent. for general dental services dentists, and freeing up time to allow a more preventative approach to dental care. Dentists will also continue to benefit from access to the NHS pension scheme.

Dentistry

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists in (a) the East of England, (b) Suffolk and (c) the constituency of Bury St.Edmunds are registering NHS patients; and how many were so doing in each case in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: The number of national health service dentists with an open general dental services (GDS) or personal dental services (PDS) contract are in the following table.
	
		Number of GDS and PDS dentists in the specified geographic areas as at 30 September each year
		
			  2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 
		
		
			 East of England Government Office  Region 2,159 2,141 2,179 2,261 2,459 
			 Suffolk County 255 265 268 272 279 
			 Bury St. Edmunds constituency 50 57 62 63 67 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Data includes all notifications, received by the Dental Practice Board, up to 19 October 2005. Figures for the numbers of dentists at specified dates may vary depending upon the notification period, e.g. data with a later notification period will include more recent notifications of dentists joining or leaving the GDS or PDS.
	2.Dentists include principals, assistants and trainees. Prison contracts have been excluded from the data.
	3.The postcode of the dental practice was used to allocate dentists to specific geographic areas. County and constituency areas have been defined using the Office for National Statistics All Fields Postcode Directory. The Government office region has been defined by summing the totals for Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire and Essex strategic health authority areas.
	Source:
	Dental Practice Board.

Dentistry

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have been registered with an NHS dentist in Lancashire in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: The information given for the Cumbria and Lancashire strategic health authority area and its primary care trusts is set out as follows:
	
		Residents in the Cumbria and Lancashire strategic health authority registered with an NHS dentist as at September each year -- Number
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004(125) 2005(125) 
		
		
			 Cumbria and Lancashire SHA 1,056,559 954,656 971,111 979,663 950,697 947,978 941,747 941,438 925,864 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 82,825 72,283 75,695 75,662 74,674 75,093 73,379 69,688 62,463 
			 Blackpool 86,093 74,874 78,450 78,200 78,750 76,943 74,241 73,009 72,360 
			 Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale 142,493 127,786 126,366 122,466 96,813 94,043 96,361 104,778 100,415 
			 Carlisle and District 64,518 64,767 62,087 63,454 66,335 63,990 62,779 64,468 63,679 
			 Chorley and South Ribble 94,090 86,767 89,759 92,145 94,928 98,421 96,486 104,012 105,018 
			 Eden Valley 35,055 30,451 29,179 27,879 27,936 26,775 29,663 24,622 26,011 
			 Fylde 46,788 42,388 43,679 43,904 41,959 42,763 43,122 52,001 52,168 
			 Hyndburn and Ribble Valley 63,409 54,942 56,097 54,772 54,018 51,917 53,110 46,901 35,388 
			 Morecambe Bay 169,887 153,164 156,103 161,534 159,572 159,007 155,009 147,428 148,160 
			 Preston 82,426 75,437 73,610 72,016 65,752 66,163 66,709 68,147 72,572 
			 West Cumbria 67,517 63,323 69,727 72,794 72,532 73,930 70,538 63,095 64,924 
			 West Lancashire 55,526 48,306 49,393 51,708 50,313 52,575 53,608 55,231 60,640 
			 Wyre 65,932 60,168 60,966 63,129 67,115 66,358 66,742 68,058 62,066 
		
	
	(125)2004 and 2005 data includes GDS and PDS registrations/PDS patients seen (counts patients seen in the past 15 months for some PDS schemes).
	Notes:
	1.Data for 2003 and earlier comprise GDS and PDS registrations. They do not include those PDS schemes that do not have any registrations (e.g. Dental Access Centres), and is therefore not directly comparable with 2004 and 2005 data.
	2.Prison contracts have been excluded.
	Source:
	Dental Practice Board.

Dentistry

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average retention rate of NHS dentists within Lancashire was in each of the past 10 years.

Rosie Winterton: The information is not available in the requested format. However, the following table shows national health service dentists with a general dental services (GDS) or personal dental services (PDS) contract who have left the GDS or PDS during each specific year as a percentage of total dentists as at 30 September each year within Cumbria and Lancashire strategic health authority area. It should be noted that these figures include dentists who leave for a variety of reasons including retirements and career breaks or maternity leave.
	
		
			  Percentage of complete leavers to dentists 
		
		
			 1997 4.5 
			 1998 3.9 
			 1999 5.0 
			 2000 8.4 
			 2001 3.8 
			 2002 5.8 
			 2003 6.4 
			 2004 2.8 
			 2005 3.4 
		
	
	Note:
	Complete leaver means the dentist had an open GDS or PDS contract in September of the previous year but no GDS or PDS contract in September of the specified year.
	Source:
	Dental Practice Board.

Departmental Estate

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (a) land and (b) property her Department owns in Southend West constituency.

Rosie Winterton: The Department does not own any land or property in the Southend West constituency.

Departmental Estate

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (a) building and (b) refurbishment projects are planned by her Department in (i) 200506 and (ii)200607; and what the expected costs are of each project.

Jane Kennedy: No building projects are planned in either 200506 and 200607. The following refurbishment projects are planned or have been completed during the years in question:
	
		
			 Building Cost () (excluding valued added tax) 
		
		
			 Quarry House, Leeds 2,361,776 
			 Wellington House, London, SE1 2,572,000 
			 New Kings Beam House, London, SE1 3,015,000 
			 Richmond House, Whitehall 964,500 
			 Skipton House, London, SE1 530,000

Departmental Property

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (a) land and (b) her property her Department owns in West Lancashire constituency.

Liam Byrne: The Department does not own any land and property in the West Lancashire constituency.

Departmental Single Assessment Team

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will set out the progress made by her Department's single assessment change agent team on (a) long-term conditions, (b) care programme approach, (c) person centred planning, (d) individual budgets, (e) the IT programme and (f) other related work programmes.

Liam Byrne: We will consider in the forthcoming White Paper how to ensure greater consistency in approach to assessing the needs of all people with health and social care needs and how needs assessment processes could be better supported by IT.

Departmental Single Assessment Team

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the single assessment process contributes to the (a) recording and (b) commissioning of non-care services.

Liam Byrne: The single assessment process (SAP) for older people does not extend to non-care services, although the guidance on implementing the SAP (LAC (2002) 1) makes it clear that the framework could support links with housing, benefits and transport, which all make important contributions to independence and wellbeing. Where possible local national health service bodies and councils are encouraged to engage with these wider interests as they implement the single assessment process.

Departmental Single Assessment Team

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to promote the development and delivery of joint training on the single assessment process to health, care and housing staff.

Liam Byrne: There are currently no plans in place to support joint training on the single assessment process (SAP) for health, social care and housing staff at a national level but such arrangement may exist locally.

Departmental Single Assessment Team

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to revise single assessment process guidance to give carers (a) housing-related needs and (b) housing-related service options.

Liam Byrne: Carers have a right to approach social services for an assessment of their individual needs, in recognition of the fact that many people with caring responsibilities have, or are at risk of developing, a social care need. Where a carer is an older person they should be assessed in accordance with the single assessment process (SAP), which includes consideration of risks to an individual's independence from their immediate environment. The SAP does not currently extend to housing-related support, but the Department and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister are committed to exploring development of an integrated assessment process, which covers health, care and housing-related support.

Disability

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what progress has been made towards piloting individualised budgets to bring together sources of funding for services, equipment and adaptations to meet disability needs; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what steps her Department has taken to extend self-directed control to young disabled people; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The Department is working with the Department for Work and Pensions and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to take forward a programme of individual budget pilots in 13 local authorities across England. The pilots cover older people, people with physical disabilities or sensory impairments, people with learning disabilities and people with mental health needs.
	An individual budget would give the individual being supported a transparent resource allocation which could then be used flexibly in the best way to meet that person's needs. The individual budget pilots will bring together different combinations of funding from a number of sources. The income streams being included in the pilots are:
	Council-provided community care services,
	Independent living fund,
	Supporting people,
	Disabled facilities grants,
	Access to work and
	Integrated community equipment services.
	The first pilot, in West Sussex, will focus on older people and will begin in December this year. The remaining pilots will come on stream during the first half of 2006 and will last for between 18 months and two years. The pilots are being comprehensively evaluated by a consortium of academic research teams in order to provide Ministers with evidence to inform national roll out.
	At least three of the 13 pilots will include a focus on young people undergoing transition into adulthood. The Department for Education and Skills will be working closely with us during the piloting activity and considering options for piloting individual budgets for disabled children, young people and families.

Disability

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her Department's definition is of disabled persons for the purpose of community care services; and when this definition was last (a) consulted on and (b) reviewed.

Liam Byrne: The Department does not have a definition of disability. The term, together with other terms, is used in primary legislation, the National Assistance Act 1948, but is not defined. The word therefore bears its ordinary meaning for the purpose of community care services, which are provided based on an assessment of need and locally determined eligibility.
	There is generally no legal requirement to consult before making primary legislation; however, the eligibility criteria for community care services set out in the National Assistance Act 1948, as amended, were considered as part of the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit report, Improving the life chances of disabled people (2005).

Disability

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultation she has undertaken on the merits of a right for disabled persons to request not to live in a residential or nursing care setting; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: A right for disabled persons to request not to live in a residential or nursing care setting was consulted on in the 'Independence, Well-being and Choice' Green Paper, between 21 March and 28 July 2005.
	Responses to the consultation were mixed and no clear view emerged.

Elderly Care

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assistance her Department provides for elderly people leaving hospital who live in rural areas.

Liam Byrne: It is for individual national health service organisations and local authorities, to ensure that the health and social care needs of all patients are met following discharge from hospital.

Elderly Care

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent by the NHS on (a) medicines, (b) community health services and (c) outpatient services for elderly mentally impaired patients in (i) 1997 and (ii) the latest year for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 15 December 2005.
	The information requested is shown in the following table. The latest year for which data is available is 200304.
	
		 million
		
			  199798 200304 
		
		
			 Medicines 5,173 9,272 
			 Community health services 3,612 6,197 
			 Mental health out-patients for elderly  (65 plus) 107 328 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Medicines figures are NET expenditure and includes family health service (FHS) drugs and hospital and community health service (HCHS) drugs.
	2.The medicines figure for 199798 is in cash terms, in comparison the 200304 figure is based on resource terms.

Elderly Care

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) acute and (b) long stay (i) NHS and (ii) private and voluntary sector beds for elderly mentally impaired people there were in England (A) in 1997 and (B) on the latest date for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 15 December 2005
	The information requested is shown in the following table. This covers the number of hospital beds and places in residential and nursing care homes for elderly people with mental illness in England for 199697 and 200304 1 . However, data on private hospitals and clinics is not available in a comparable form, due to service definitional issues. Data on places in care homes from 200203 is not comparable to data for earlier years.
	1 Data is not available in a comparable form, due to service definitional issues.
	
		Beds in NHS facilities:
		
			  199697 200304 
		
		
			 Average daily number of available beds 38,780 34,440 
			 Elderly: short stay 7,370 7,510 
			 Elderly: long stay 8,230 4,610 
		
	
	
		Beds in private facilities(126):
		
			  199697 200304(127) 
		
		
			 Number of available beds 28,510 (128) 
			 Elderly: any length of stay 21,450 (128) 
		
	
	
		Places in staffed residential homes for elderly mentally infirm(126):
		
			  199697 200304(127) 
		
		
			 Local authority 3,190 (128) 
			 Voluntary 2,280 (128) 
			 Private 13,800 (128) 
		
	
	(126)Count of beds/places at 31 March.
	(127)Data is not available in a comparable form, due to service definitional issues.
	(128)Denotes not available.
	Note:
	Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.
	Sources:
	K036, RAC5, RAC5(S), RAU1, KH03, RHN (A) and RA (FormA), Department of Health

Elderly Care

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent by English local authorities on (a) residential and (b) community care services for the elderly mentally impaired in (i) 1997 and (ii) the latest year for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 15 December 2005
	The information requested is not collected centrally.

Extra Care Schemes

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what discussions her Department has had with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on the extension of the single assessment process to include housing-related support in respect of Extra Care schemes;
	(2)  what discussions her Department has had with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on the relationship between the requirements of the single assessment and the supporting people quality assessment framework in respect of Extra Care schemes.

Liam Byrne: The Department has held early discussions with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister about the possibility of extending the domains of the single assessment process for older people to include housing-related support. In principle, both Departments believe that a single assessment process covering health and social care and housing-related support would be in the interests of individuals who may have a need for support. These discussions are at an early stage.

Foundation Hospitals

Jim Sheridan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria are used for hospitals in England to move from acute status to foundation hospital.

Liam Byrne: To apply for national health service foundation trust (NHSFT) status applicants must be an acute, specialist or mental health NHS trust and hold a three or two star performance rating.
	The Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 provides that an NHS trust may make an application to Monitor, the statutory name of which is the independent regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts, for consideration for authorisation as an NHSFT, if the application is supported by the Secretary of State.
	To be considered by the Secretary of State, applicants are required to develop a five-year strategic business plan, show strong leadership and commitment to modernising services, demonstrate the involvement of staff and other key stakeholders for their vision for reform, undertake a public consultation and be subject to an independent due diligence review of their business plan. To be authorised as an NHSFT by Monitor, applicants must meet the criteria laid down in the Health and Social Care Act 2003 and Monitor's own criteria. The criteria reflect the need for an NHSFT to be legally constituted, well governed and financially viable.

General Practitioners

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioner referrals have been made using the choose and book system in each month since July 2004; and how many of those referrals were (a) telephone-only bookings and (b) online bookings.

Liam Byrne: Prior to April 2005, choose and book was available in only a small number of early adopter sites. The number of general practitioner referrals made using choose and book in each month since April 2005 is shown in the table. In addition to the figures given, a total of 2,328 additional transactions have been made successfully through the choose and book system. This includes re-booked appointments that were made by patients who, for example, chose to change the date and/or time of their appointment.
	
		Number of referrals using choose and book
		
			 Month/year New bookings 
		
		
			 April 2005 285 
			 May 2005 339 
			 June 2005 367 
			 July 2005 644 
			 August 2005 1,597 
			 September 2005 4,227 
			 October 2005 12,813 
			 November 2005 21,969 
		
	
	The breakdown by channel of the appointment bookings is collected only for those primary care trusts (PCTs) associated with the national choose and book appointments line. A number of PCTs run their own local appointments lines for which data is not collected centrally. The Department is currently validating data from the national appointments line and I will write to you with this data once it is available.

General Practitioners

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what plans the Government have to extend the opening hours of NHS primary care trusts;
	(2)  what representations the Government have received on making general practitioner surgeries become more accessible;
	(3)  what incentives will be provided for doctors to have longer surgery opening hours;
	(4)  she plans to make longer opening hours a requirement in general practitioner contracts.

Liam Byrne: It is clear from the recent 'Your Health, Your Care, Your Say' public consultation that patients would prefer general practice to offer extended opening hours. We will set out proposals to respond to that challenge in our forthcoming White Paper and in doing so we will want to work with general practitioners, nurses, the British Medical Association and others. The general practice contract framework includes incentives for improved access and these are being renewed.

General Practitioners

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she plans to encourage nurse-led practices, mainly staffed by senior nurses with a general practitioner acting in an overseeing capacity; and what steps she will take to secure a good quality of care in such circumstances.

Liam Byrne: Provision of primary medical services by nurse led practices has been available to the national health service for some time, having been introduced under personal medical services.
	With the introduction of the new primary medical services arrangements in 2004, primary care trusts now have a range of flexibilities over what services they commission and from whom in order to better meet the needs of patients locally. Common requirements and safeguards apply to all providers of primary care to ensure minimum standards are met and encourage high quality care.

General Practitioners

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to recruit general practitioners in rural areas.

Liam Byrne: It is the responsibility of primary care trusts (PCTs) to assess and make provision for the healthcare needs of their local communities. PCTs have the resources to commission services and identify the number of professional staff that they need to deliver those services.
	A range of recruitment and retention initiatives are in place to help expand the national health service workforce across England. These include improving pay and conditions, encouraging the NHS to become a better, more flexible and diverse employer, help with accessing child care, increasing training, attracting back returners and running national and international recruitment campaigns. More recently, the new primary care development scheme will allow local employers to use funding for innovative approaches to boost recruitment to local primary care services.
	As a result of these measures, the primary care workforce has expanded. Between September 1997 and June 2005, the number of general practitioners, excluding retainers and registrars, employed by the NHS has increased by 4,372 (15.6 per cent.) and between September 1997 and September 2004 the primary care nursing workforce has increased by 25,115 (32.5 per cent.).

Health Bill

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what estimate she has made of the number of public houses in Gravesham constituency likely to be exempt from a smoking ban under the provisions of the Health Bill;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the likely impactof the Health Bill on health inequalities within Gravesham constituency.

Caroline Flint: The Health Bill has not been assessed on the basis of its likely impact on the constituency of Gravesham. No estimate has been made of the number of public houses in Gravesham in this context.
	A partial regulatory impact assessment for the Health Bill has been published and is available in the Library.

Health Services

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the Leader of the House's statement of 17 November 2005, Official Report, column 1118, on health services, (a) what the cost is of the 168 more NHS consultants and (b) what proportion of the staff to which she refers work part-time.

Liam Byrne: Information as to the annual cost of the additional national health service consultants is not held centrally. However, the information in the table shows the number of Hospital and Community Health Services consultants for each year since 1997 in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Strategic Health Authority.
	
		HCHS consultants within Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Strategic Health Authority; 1997June 2005 -- Number (headcount)
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 
		
		
			 All consultants 477 499 511 524 575 593 
			 of which:   
			 Full-time 422 436 444 460 498 500 
			 Part-time 55 63 67 64 77 93 
		
	
	
		
			 Increase 
			  2003 2004 June 2005 19972004 1997 June 2005 
		
		
			 All consultants 601 645 678 168 201 
			 of which:  
			 Full-time 506 548 577 126 155 
			 Part-time 95 97 101 42 46 
		
	
	Note:
	Data as at 30 September 19972004 and 30 June 2005
	Source:
	NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre Medical and Dental Workforce Census

Health Services

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when her Department last discussed with local hon. Members proposals for future provision of health care services at (a) Royal Liverpool University hospital and (b) Liverpool Women's hospital; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 15 December 2005
	The process of discussing any proposals for the future provisions of health care services at the Royal Liverpool University hospital and the Liverpool Women's hospital with local hon. Members falls within the remit of Cheshire and Merseyside strategic health authority.

Health Services

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average length of time to make an appointment with a general practitioner was in the Northamptonshire primary care trust area in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: The Department does not collect the data in the format requested. However, as at September 2005, 100 per cent. of patients in the Northamptonshire and Heartlands primary care trust area were able to be offered an appointment with a general practitioner or primary health care professional within one working day.

Hepatitis C

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects that home tests for hepatitis C will receive CE registration and be available for sale over the counter in England.

Jane Kennedy: Since December 2003, in vitro diagnostic devices placed on the United Kingdom market have to conform to the requirements of the In Vitro Diagnostic Devices Directive (98/79/EEC) which has been transposed into UK law by the Medical Devices Regulations 2002 (SI2002 No.618).
	In vitro diagnostic test kits for hepatitis C attract the highest level of control and need to have their compliance with the directive assessed by an independent certification body known as a Notified Body. The manufacturer also needs to register with the regulatory authority in the member state where the device is to be placed on the market.
	In so far as can be determined, no such registrations have been made for this type of test kit with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency in the UK, and we are not aware of any hepatitis C home test kits that are in development.

Hepatitis C

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to promote testing for hepatitis C; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The Department has published information and guidance for health professionals and for the public, highlighting those considered to be at risk of hepatitis C infection and who should consider being tested, or should be offered testing, for hepatitis C infection. This forms part of the hepatitis C awareness campaign and there is currently a continuing programme to raise awareness of hepatitis C among the public and those groups at risk.
	In addition, a new national health service hepatitis C awareness website was launched and has been published at www.hepc.nhs.uk and a new national hepatitis C freephone information line at 0800 451451.

HIV (Staffordshire)

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were recorded as HIV positive in Staffordshire in each of the last 10 years.

Rosie Winterton: HIV data is not available by county, but by strategic health authority (SHA) or region. The latest data on HIV diagnoses for Shropshire and Staffordshire SHA can be found on the Health Protection Agency's website at:
	www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/hiv_and_sti/hiv/epidemiology/hars_tables.htm

Hospices

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the written answer to the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland, of 7 November 2005, Official Report, column 258W, on hospices, what percentage of total funding she estimates was provided to (a) adult hospices and (b) children's hospices from NHS budgets in (i) 1997 and (ii) the most recent period for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland (Dr. Kumar) on 7 November 2005, Official Report, column 258W. The Department does not routinely collect data on national health service funding for adult and children's hospices. We are not aware of published data Help the Hospices prior to 2004.

Hospitals (West Sussex)

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost per patient treated at (a) foundation hospitals and (b) hospitals in West Sussex was in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Caroline Flint: There are no data collected centrally at individual patient level. However, data are collected on a finished consultant episode (FCE) basis. An FCE is defined as a period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. The latest cost data available is for 200304.
	It is not possible to assess the average cost per FCE for foundation trusts, as they did not become operational until 200405 and cost data for that year are not yet available.
	In 200304, the average cost per FCE for hospitals in West Sussex, was as follows:
	
		
		
			  Average cost per FCE 
		
		
			 Royal West Sussex National Health Service Trust 1,164 
			 Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust 1,482 
			 Worthing and Southlands Hospitals NHS Trust 1,006 
		
	
	Source:
	Reference costs 200304. Admitted patient caretrusts' own data.

Independent Sector Treatment Centre

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what services to NHS patients in South Gloucestershire will be provided by the proposed Independent Sector Treatment Centre; where the centre will be located; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 6 December 2005
	The exact nature of the facilities are subject to the outcome of the current procurement process. They will, however, be located so that patients have limited travel times and easy access. The services provided may include orthopaedics, general surgery, urology, ear, nose and throat, gynaecology and plastic surgery.

Influenza Vaccinations

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate her Department has made of the number of people in at-risk groups who have been unable to obtain a seasonal influenza vaccination in Gravesham constituency.

Caroline Flint: The information requested is not collected centrally.

McKinsey's

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the (a) length, (b) terms and (c) cost are of the contract for the project being undertaken by McKinsey's into the structural and service reconfiguration of (a) Merseyside and Lancashire Acute Trusts and (b) North Cheshire, Warrington, St. Helens and Knowsley hospitals;
	(2)  how much has been paid by Merseyside and Cheshire strategic health authority to McKinsey's for work carried out in (a) 2002, (b) 2003, (c) 2004 and (d) so far in 2005.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not held centrally and can instead be obtained via Cheshire and Merseyside strategic health authority.

Medicine Reviews (Older People)

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 14 July 2005, Official Report, column 1198W, on older people (medication review), if she will publish Part Two of the Taskforce on Medicine Partnership's evaluation of Room for Review; and what the reasons are for the delay in publication of the evaluation;
	(2)  pursuant to the answer of 23 November 2005, Official Report, column 1220W, on Taskforce on Medicine reviews, why in the answer of 14 July 2005, Official Report, column 1198W on older people (medicine review), she stated that the evaluation would be published in the summer of 2005; when the need for ethics approval was (a) identified and (b) obtained; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  pursuant to the answer of 7 November 2005, Official Report, column 261W, on medicine reviews (older people), what methodology was used to make the assessment that good progress has been made.

Liam Byrne: I refer the hon. Member to the statement given by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Mr. Byrne) on 6 December 2005, Official Report, column 84748.

Mental Health

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many representations she has received from (a) staff employed by Oxfordshire Mental Health NHS Trust and (b) other interested parties on proposed changes to the services the trust offers; and what the content of these representations was.

Caroline Flint: A search of the Department's correspondence and parliamentary questions databases shows that since 27 June 2005, there have been three letters received from staff employed by Oxfordshire Mental Health Trust. There have also been six private offices cases. Nigel Crisp, chief executive of the national health service has received a letter from the director of the Centre for Suicide Research based at the University of Oxford. No parliamentary questions have been tabled to the Department.

Mental Health

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many adolescent mental health beds there are in (a) Shropshire and Staffordshire strategic health authority and (b) Burntwood, Lichfield and Tamworth primary care trust.

Rosie Winterton: The latest available data shows that in 200405, there were ten beds available in wards classified as mental illness: children: short stay or mental illness: children: long stay within Shropshire and Staffordshire strategic health authority. These categories include adolescents.
	None of these beds were within Burntwood, Lichfield and Tamworth primary care trust.
	Source:
	Department of Health form KH03.

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answers of 28 November 2005, Official Report, column 272W and 31 October 2005, Official Report, column 842W, in what year data on the number of hospital bed days of patients aged (a) under 16 and (b) under 18 on admission on adult psychiatric wards started being collected.

Liam Byrne: The data was first collected in 200102. The data is currently collected on a quarterly basis in connection with local delivery plan returns. The Mental Health Act Commission also collects information on bed occupancy.

Mental Health

Brian Binley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether the review of the tribunal model and assessment of the workforce prior to the introduction of the Mental Health Bill has been completed;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the conclusion of the Mental Health Bill working group on the viability of the proposed new mental health tribunal.

Rosie Winterton: The Joint Parliamentary Committee welcomed our proposals for a new mental health tribunal, but expressed concerns about its practicability. We have consulted with key stakeholders, in particular through the medium of the tribunals project group. We will ensure that our proposals improve the accessibility of the tribunal system, but do so in a way which is practicable and affordable.

Microbiology Water Specialists

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many Health Protection Agency teams have appointed microbiology water specialists, broken down by region.

Caroline Flint: The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has six specialist water microbiologists in post. Four of these are employed at the Centre for Infections, at Colindale; one is at the Newcastle regional laboratory; and one is at the South East regional laboratory.

Midwife-led Birthing Centres

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the role of midwife-led birthing centres.

Liam Byrne: Midwife-led birth centres offer a comfortable, low-tech environment for women who have been assessed as being at low risk of developing complications during birth.
	Midwife-led care should be provided within a framework that enables easy and early transfer of women and babies who unexpectedly require specialist care. As with other options, the outcome of these types of care should be regularly audited.
	The maternity standard of the national service framework for children, young people and maternity services requires national health service maternity care providers and primary care trusts to ensure that the range of services available locally constitutes real choice for women. Local options for midwife-led care may include midwife-led units in the community or on a hospital site.

Mobile Phone Masts

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if she will commission an independent study of epidemiology in relation to mobile telephone masts and their possible impacts on health; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  if the Government will carry out epidemiological research into cancer clusters around mobile phone masts that have been in place for 10 years or more; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The independently managed mobile telecommunications and health research (MTHR) programme, jointly funded by Government and industry, has supported about 30 individual studies to investigate the potential health effects of radiofrequency (RF) exposures from mobile phone technology. The programme has commissioned a study of cancer incidence in pre-school children living near mobile phone base stations compared with those living further away. Infants and young children are more likely to be home-based and this is the reason why the MTHR childhood cancer study has, to date, been the only scientifically viable option for epidemiology around base stations. Studies of older children and adults have not been recommended because proximity to base stations has been shown to be a poor representation of exposure to RF fields. The MTHR studies concentrate largely on the exposures from the mobile phone handsets because these exposures are considerably higher than those from base stations. A description of the programme and the individual studies can be found on its web site www.mthr.org.uk.
	The report entitled Mobile Phones and Health 2004 published by the National Radiological Protection Board (now the Radiation Protection Division of the Health Protection Agency, HPA) noted that there are continuing concerns about the impact of base stations on health and well-being
	despite the current evidence which shows that exposures of individuals are likely to be only a small fraction of those from phones.
	This report is published as Documents of the NRPB, Vol 15, No 5 and can be found on the HPA's website at: www.hpa.org.uk/radiation. The report recommended
	studies focused on ascertaining the exposure of people to RF fields.
	In line with this recommendation, the MTHR programme has supported an assessment of a prototype RF exposure meter for the possible use in future epidemiological studies in relation to base stations.

Morecambe Primary Care Trust

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will assess the proposal by the Morecambe primary care trust to close the mental health wards that it rents at Westmorland General hospital.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 15 December 2005
	This is a matter for the Morecambe Bay primary care trust in discussion with interested stakeholders.

MRSA

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many official complaints were made during the last eight years from people or relatives of people who contracted MRSA living in (a) London, (b) the London borough of Havering and (c) Hornchurch constituency in connection with hygiene conditions at the hospital or health centre where they or their family member contracted MRSA.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 14 December 2005
	The information requested is not collected centrally.

Neurology

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Healthhow many full time equivalent medical staff there were within neurological specialty practising in the NHS in each year since 2001; and how many were (a) consultants, (b) registrars and (c) senior house officers.

Liam Byrne: The requested information is shown in the following table.
	
		Hospital, public health medicine and community health services: Medical staff within the neurology and neurosurgery specialties by specified gradeEngland(129) -- Full time equivalents
		
			  2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Neurology 624 631 702 774 
			 of which: 
			 Consultant 298 309 355 403 
			 Registrar group 147 152 166 183 
			 Senior house officer 119 119 144 150 
			 Other staff 60 51 37 38 
			  
			 Neurosurgery 405 455 471 518 
			 of which: 
			 Consultant 141 153 157 171 
			 Registrar group 131 147 162 185 
			 Senior house officer 115 130 140 152 
			 Other staff 18 25 12 10 
		
	
	(129)2001 to 2004, data as at 30 September.
	Source:
	NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre medical and dental workforce census

NHS Administration

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the average number of hours each week a (a) nurse and (b) doctor spent on administrative tasks in (i) 1997, (ii) 2000 and (iii) the most recent period for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not held centrally.

NHS Commissioning

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps she plans to take to consult local communities and other stakeholders about proposals to outsource the commissioning function of primary care trusts;
	(2)  whether as part of her plans for a patient-led NHS local authorities will be able to bid to discharge the commissioning function of primary care trusts.

Liam Byrne: As part of the proposals for primary caretrust (PCT) reconfiguration, one strategic health authority (SHA) has proposed to procure an external management team to run one of their newly proposed PCTs. However, this proposal will not be considered during the forthcoming local consultation as it is for the new PCTs, not the current SHAs, to decide how best to manage their responsibilities after reconfiguration.

NHS Finance Data

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her written statement of 1 December 2005, Official Report, column 37WS, on publication of NHS finance data, what criteria she is setting in selecting which NHS trusts will be supported by turnaround teams; and whether any NHS trusts in Worcestershire are planned to be so supported.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 6 December 2005
	The turnaround teams will undertake an assessment of organisations that are forecasting the most significant deficits, to ensure that there is an agreed understanding of the local financial problem and that the necessary immediate actions are in hand to address it. Following this there will be the opportunity to agree tailored packages of support with the strategic health authority (SHA) and the organisation. It is planned that there is an assessment with West Midlands South SHA of the financial position of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals National Health Service Trust.

NHS Reconfiguration

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many job losses she expects as a result of the merger of primary care trusts in Lincolnshire; what budget has been allocated for severance payments; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Ministers have given the go-ahead for all 28 strategic health authorities (SHAs) to begin local consultations on boundary changes to SHAs and primary care trusts. Consultations will start on 14 December for a period of 14 weeks (until 22 March). No decisions on boundary changes will be taken until these local consultations have been completed and their outcomes considered by Secretary of State. Until any boundary changes are agreed, it is not possible to calculate the impact on jobs in any one area.
	There will be no central budget to finance any cost of severance. Guidance to SHAs is that severance costs should be minimised and, where necessary, financed from in-year management cost savings in 200506, 200607 and 200708.

NHS Reconfiguration

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether (a) her Department and (b) the relevant strategic health authority plans to support a merger of Alder Hey NHS Trust with Liverpool Women's Hospital Foundation Trust.

Liam Byrne: Any proposals to merge national health service trusts need to be considered by the local NHS. Once a set of proposals has been produced, the relevant NHS organisation will, as is their duty, consult patients, the public and their representatives.

NHS Records

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to ensure all NHS patients are made aware of their rights as set out in the NHS Care Records Guarantee; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: A major public information campaign will be launched in 2006. Its purpose will be to advise patients and the wider public about the implications of the NHS Care Records Service (NHS CRS) for the way in which information about them is held and used. The campaign will provide the information people need to make choices about sharing and accessing their health information. This will cover controls on access by health professionals; how access will be monitored and policed; options people have to further limit access; access in an emergency; and what happens when someone is not able to make decisions for themselves.
	We intend to provide front-line national health service staff, including the Patient Advice and Liaison Service and NHS Direct, and also key voluntary sector organisations, with briefing materials and web resources to enable them to answer questions. In addition, a simple explanatory leaflet will be sent to every household in England, available in a range of formats and languages, with an easy-read version for people with learning disabilities and limited literacy.
	Other planned initiatives include a series of roadshows to give information face to face and to act as a focus for local publicity, and a short video/DVD to be played in waiting rooms at NHS sites, backed by posters and leaflets.
	Preparatory work to inform front-line NHS staff about the NHS CRS has already begun. Some one million leaflets have been distributed, along with posters and DVDs.
	Final details of timing and phasing of the campaign have yet to be determined, but the main period of activity is expected to be in mid 2006.

NHS Staff

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her most recent estimate is of the total number of staff who have left employment in the NHS in a year.

Liam Byrne: Information on numbers of staff leaving the national health service is not collected centrally.

NHS Staff

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had with the independent and voluntary sectors about their willingness and preparedness to absorb staff from the primary care trusts as they divest themselves of their provider responsibilities.

Liam Byrne: None. Any such discussions would be a local matter for primary care trusts.

NHS Superannuation Scheme

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will estimate the cost of equalising widowers' entitlement with widows entitlement for pre-1988 members of the NHS superannuation scheme.

Liam Byrne: The cost of backdating entitlement to widower's pension before 1988, in respect of active female members of the NHS pension scheme for England and Wales is estimated to lie in the range of 300 to 400 million.

Nurses

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nursing vacancies there are, broken down by grade.

Liam Byrne: Information on the number of vacancies in the national health service lasting three months or more is collected in the NHS vacancy survey. As at March 2005, there were 5,801 three month vacancies for qualified nurses, which represents a rate of 1.9 per cent. This represents the fourth successive annual fall in vaccines for qualified nurses.
	Information on vacancies for qualified nurses is not collected by grade.

Nurses

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) agency and (b) NHS nurses were employed by the NHS in Gravesham constituency in the last year for which figures are available; and what the cost was in each case.

Caroline Flint: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Nurses

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Healthwhat the average time taken to process NHSnurses' bursary applications was in (a) 200405 and (b) 200506 to date; and if she will make a statement.

Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many students have applied for bursaries for nursing courses which started in September; and to date how many applications have not been processed.

Liam Byrne: The following information has been provided by the NHS Pensions Agency who are responsible for the student grants unit.
	The average waiting time for nurses' national health service bursary payments in 200405 was five days from the start of the course. Bursary payments in academic year 200405 were made on receipt of a provisional list of students who were expected to enrol at the university. Payment was made by cheque, which was sent to the university for collection by the student.
	The average waiting time for nurses' NHS bursary payments in 200506 is 11 days from the course start date. Bursary payments in academic year 200506 are made on receipt of confirmation of enrolment from the university and by the banks automated clearing system payment into students' bank account.
	There could be several reasons for delayed payment:
	internal handling by the NHS Student Grants Unit;
	the university has not advised the unit that the student has actually started the course;
	Universities are required to notify the student grants unit within five working days of the student starting the course. The unit aims to pay students within 10 working days of the start of the course;
	there is a query with the student regarding their application form;
	late application submitted by the student.
	11,941 students have applied for bursaries for nursing courses which started in September 2005, all of which have now been processed.

Nurses

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what pay increases have been awarded to auxiliary nurses in each year since May 1997.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is in the table.
	
		Percentage
		
			 As at 1 April Pay increase awarded 
		
		
			 199798  
			 As at 1 April 1997 2.8 
			 As at 1 December 1997 (130)4.11 
			   
			 199899 3.8 
			 19992000 4.7 
			 200001 3.4 
			 200102 3.7 
			 200203 (131)3.6 
			 200304 3.225 
			 200405 3.225 
		
	
	(130)Relative to 1 April 1996 national scales.
	(131)Or 400, whichever is greater.

Obesity

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Obesity Care Pathway being produced by her Department will include appropriate references to slimming on referral programmes.

Caroline Flint: The draft Obesity Care Pathway is currently out for consultation until 3 January 2006. Consultation responses, including those on slimming on referral programmes, will be evaluated in the light of the evidence before a final text is produced.

Obesity

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on (a) progress made to date and (b) the timetable for future action in relation to obesity initiatives in the Implementation Programme of the White Paper on Public Health, with particular reference to (i) the Weight Loss Guide, (ii) the Obesity Care Pathway and the Obesity Tool Kit, (iii) the National Partnership for Obesity, (iv) establishment of the Obesity Programme Board, (v) the development of a job description and management structure for health trainers and (vi) the work of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in assessing weight loss options.

Caroline Flint: The Obesity Care Pathway and the Weight Loss Guide are currently out for consultation until 3 January 2006. They will be published in the new year.
	The Obesity Tool Kit has been circulated in draft to consultees, and is expected to be published in the new year by the National Heart Forum and Faculty for Public Health.
	The National Partnership for Obesity will no longer be established. However, relevant groups will be included in the stakeholder consultation list for the delivery of the Obesity PSA Target.
	The Obesity Programme Board had its first meeting on 27 August 2005.
	A draft job description for health trainers has been sent to all the partnerships involved in the early adopter phase for review, to be agreed by the end of March 2006. Management structures for health trainers will be agreed and implemented at a local level.
	The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's draft guidance on assessing weight loss options will be going out for full consultation next year with publication expected in early 2007.

Obesity

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children were suffering with obesity in (a) Southend, (b) Essex, (c) Hertfordshire, (d) Greater London and (e) England in (i) 1994 and (ii) 2004.

Caroline Flint: The data are not available in the exact format requested. We are unable to supply the data for Southend, Essex, Hertfordshire and Greater London. Data is available by Government office region (GOR) for 200102 and we have provided the areas that most closely match those requested; London GOR (for Greater London) and the East of England GOR (for Southend, Essex and Hertfordshire).
	The 2003 data are the most recent available. Comparable data for 1994 are not available; therefore, we have provided 1995 data. The information requested is in the following table, using the estimated obesity prevalence results of the Health Survey for England (HSE) for 2002 and 2003.
	
		Prevalence of obesity among children aged 2 to 10 (with a valid BMI), by gender, England, 1995 and 2003
		
			  1995 2003 
		
		
			 Male   
			 Percentage 9.6 14.9 
			 Bases (weighted) 1,261 876 
			 Bases (unweighted) 1,113 864 
			 Female   
			 Percentage 10.3 12.5 
			 Bases (weighted) 1,266 897 
			 Bases (unweighted) 1,114 869 
		
	
	Notes:
	Figures from Obesity among children under 11, 2005 for children aged 2 to 10 based on the UK National BMI percentile classification
	Source:
	Obesity among children under 11, 2005. Department of Health and the Health and Social Care Information Centre

Operation Costs

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total cost was of (a) sex change, (b) bunion and (c) cosmetic surgery operations for the last year for which figures are available; how many of each category of operation took place; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The cost information requested is not collected centrally.
	The table on activity shows the number of finished consultant episodes (FCEs) where the main operation was one of the operative procedures requested.
	
		Count of finished consultant episodes for sex change, bunion and cosmetic surgery operative procedures in national health service hospitals in England 200304
		
			 Selected procedures FCEs 
		
		
			 Sex change operations 95 
			 Bunion operations 17,796 
			 Cosmetic surgery operations 67,804 
		
	
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics, Health and Social Care information centre

Operation Costs

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average cost is of (a) each operation provided at independent treatment centres and (b) the same operation undertaken by an NHS trust.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 8 December 2005
	The average cost of operations provided at independent sector treatment centres is commercially confidential.
	National health service (NHS) tariff data has been placed in the Library and is also available on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/09/15/31/04091531.pdf.
	These data are not comparable with independent sector contracts as they have to cover a range of costs, which are not applicable to the NHS but we know that overall costs in the independent sector contracts in 200405 was estimated to be less than the NHS equivalent.

Ophthalmic Services

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total expenditure on general ophthalmic services has been in each year since 199798.

Rosie Winterton: Total expenditure on general ophthalmic services in England from 199798 to 200405 is shown in the table.
	
		Expenditure on General Ophthalmic Service: England --  million(132)
		
			  Gross resource expenditure 
		
		
			 199798 243.1 
			 199899 242.2 
			 19992000 286.0 
			 200001 289.9 
			 200102 302.3 
			 200203(133) 303.9 
			 200304 321.6 
			 200405 340.0 
		
	
	(132)Expenditure is on an accruals basis.
	(133)The consistency of data may have been affected by the changeover in accounting responsibilities from strategic health authorities to primary care trusts from 1 October 2002.

Palliative Care (Children)

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what weighting is applied to palliative care for children in the primary care trust capitation formula.

Liam Byrne: There is no specific weighting in the weighted-capitation formula, used to inform revenue allocations to primary care trusts (PCTs), but the formula is the best available measure of need for all aspects of health care.
	The components of the weighted-capitation formula are used to weight each PCTs population according to their relative need (i.e. age, and additional need) for health care and geographical differences in the cost of providing health care (i.e. market forces factor).

Parliamentary Questions

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to answer the Question on the emergency bed service (18771) tabled by the hon. Member for Romsey on 12 October.

Liam Byrne: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 21 November 2005, Official Report, column 1709W.

Parliamentary Questions

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she will answer question reference 30777 tabled by the hon. Member for Pendle on 16 November 2005, on primary care trusts.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 6 December 2005
	I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on Monday 12 December, Official Report, column 1816W.

Parliamentary Questions

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to reply to the questions tabled by the hon. Member for Billericay relating to overseas nurses for answer on (a) 24 October, references 21223 and 21224 and (b) 17 November, reference 29318.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 12 December 2005
	I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave him on Monday 12 December 2005.

Patient Appointments

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health
	(1)  what the average cost of a missed general practitioner appointment was in 200405; and what assessment she has made of the merits of primary care trusts using text message reminder systems for patient appointments;
	(2)  how much has been saved by hospitals using text message reminder systems for patient appointments; and if she plans to encourage all NHS trusts to use this technology;
	(3)  what assessment she has made of the impact on patient outcomes of schemes that use text messages to remind patients to take their medication;
	(4)  what assessment she has made of the use of mobile handset remote monitoring systems that allow doctors to monitor patients in their own home rather than having them stay in hospital.

Liam Byrne: Information on the cost of missed general practice appointments is not collected or held centrally. However, there is evidence from the work of the National Primary Care Development Team that better management of patient access arrangements, including the use of telephone technology can reduce the incidence. More than 5,000 practices, some 60 per cent. of the total, have taken part in the team's Advanced Access programme. Information on savings made by hospitals using text messaging reminder systems is similarly not collected or held centrally. However, the Department is currently undertaking a strategic review of assistive technology, including text messaging reminder and remote monitoring systems, which will inform the forthcoming White Paper.

Patient Forums

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list each patient and public involvement forum in England; and what the funding body is for each forum.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 14 December 2005
	There is a patient and public involvement forum for every national health service trust, foundation trust and primary care trust in England.
	The Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health (CPPIH) provides funding for forums via forum support organisations. There are around 140 of these organisations, each supporting several forums.
	A list showing all patient and public involvement forums in England and the forum support organisations that support them has been placed in the Library.

Pesticides

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the Chief Medical Officer will report on the evidence received from the Royal College of Physicians following the oral submission given by the Health Protection Agency to the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution on its investigation of non-NHS clinics visited in relation to the impact of pesticides.

Caroline Flint: The Department of Health is not aware of any evidence received from the Royal College of Physicians to the Royal Commission of Environmental Pollution (RCEP), in the preparation of its report on crop spraying and the health of resident and bystanders. Also, we are not aware that the RCEP in its investigations carried out any visits to non-national health service clinics, and can find no reference to this in the RCEP report.

Physiotherapy

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what estimate she has made of the number of new graduate physiotherapists who have not found employment as physiotherapists in 2005;
	(2)  how many overseas nationals are working as physiotherapists within the NHS;
	(3)  what steps she is taking to increase the number of physiotherapists in the NHS;
	(4)  what representations she has received on the number of posts available in the NHS for newly-qualified physiotherapists;
	(5)  how many new graduate physiotherapists will qualify in 2005.

Liam Byrne: The latest available figure shows that at September 2004, there were 19,139 physiotherapists employed by the national health service. It is the responsibility of local NHS employers and strategic health authorities to ensure there are sufficient numbers of physiotherapists to meet service needs.
	There were 2,157 NHS physiotherapy training places in England in 200203. It is not possible to identify the number of these who successfully graduated in 2005. Data regarding the level of overseas nationals working as physiotherapists is not collected centrally.
	We are working closely with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, the NHS workforce review team and NHS organisations to help physiotherapy graduates find opportunities. As a result of this collaborative work, there is an action plan in place to ensure local managers have access to a range of strategies across recruitment, commissioning and skill mix. In addition, NHS employers have extended the NHS jobs service from December, which will enable physiotherapy graduates to register their details and be automatically alerted to NHS vacancies.

Podiatrists

John Penrose: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps her Department is taking to increase the number of podiatrists in (a) England and (b) Weston-Super-Mare;
	(2)  how many podiatrists per 100 people there are in (a) England and (b) Weston-super-Mare.

Liam Byrne: Information on the number of podiatrists per 100,000 population in England and Avon Gloucestershire and Wiltshire strategic health authority is shown in the table.
	Information is not available specifically for the Western-Super-Mare area.
	
		National health service hospital and community health services: qualified chiropody/podiatry staff in England and each specified strategic health authority (SHA) area and organisation per 100,000 population as at 30 September 2004(134) -- Headcount
		
			  Per 100,000 population 
		
		
			 England 7.9 
			 of which  
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire SHA area 5.9 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Population figures are as at June each year. England and SHA figures are for 2004, the latest available PCT figures are at 2003. Staff in post figures are at 30 September 2004.
	Sources:
	Health and Social Care Information Centre Non-Medical Workforce Census
	Office for National Statistics Population Census
	A range of workforce supply initiatives are in place to ensure the NHS workforce continues to meet service needs. These include: improving pay and conditions; encouraging the NHS to become a better, more flexible and diverse employer; increasing training; investing in child care and continuing professional development; attracting back returners and running national and international recruitment campaigns.
	It is the responsibility of primary care trusts and SHAs to analyse their local situation and assess the needs of the local population and to secure services to meet those needs including podiatry services.

Primary Care Trusts

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether primary care trusts will face financial penalties or suffer any form of detriment if they choose to remain direct providers of clinical services.

Liam Byrne: If primary care trusts choose to do this, they will face no financial penalties.

Primary Care Trusts

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health why Mr. John Bacon's letter of 30 November 2005 to Pearse Butler of the Cumbria and Lancashire strategic health authority does not refer to Pendle in the latest proposals for primary care trust reconfiguration.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 6 December 2005
	The letter from John Bacon to Pearse Butler of Cumbria and Lancashire strategic health authority omitted reference to Pendle in error. The option to consult on six primary care trusts (PCTs) should read as follows:
	Option 36 PCTs; Blackpool PCT, Blackburn with Darwen PCT, Cumbria PCT, Lancaster, Fylde and Wyre PCT, Burnley, Rossendale, Pendle, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley PCT and West Lancashire, South Ribble, Chorley and Preston PCT.

Primary Care Trusts

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will rank by population the proposed re-configured primary care trusts in England which are now to go out to public consultation.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 6 December 2005
	No decisions will be taken on the population size of reconfigured primary care trusts until after the 14 week local consultation exercise.

Primary Care Trusts

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether strategic health authorities will have further powers to determine whether primary care trusts can exercise financial autonomy and control their own budgets under the proposals for reconfiguration of strategic health authorities and primary care trusts.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 15 November 2005
	There are no plans to give strategic health authorities (SHAs) further powers to determine whether primary care trusts can exercise financial autonomy and control their own budgets under proposals for reconfiguration of SHAs and primary care trusts. SHAs will continue to undertake performance management functions in relation to local national health service bodies.

Primary Care Trusts

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons she is seeking to restructure primary care trusts; and what estimate she has made of the costs of restructuring.

Liam Byrne: The reasons for reconfiguration are set out in Commissioning a Patient Led NHS, published 28 July 2005 and the written ministerial statement by the Secretary of State of 27 October 2005, Official Report, column 15WS.
	Since proposals on restructuring are subject to local consultation, at this stage we have not made an estimate of the costs.

Primary Care Trusts

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what allocation of funding was made to each Essex primary care trust at the start of the current financial year; what the projected outturn is in each case; and how deficits will be funded.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 8 December 2005
	The information requested is provided in the tables. Table 1 shows the revenue allocations made to primary care trusts (PCTs) in Essex for 200506 as part of the 200304 to 200506 revenue allocations. Table 2 shows the 200506 Month 6 (unaudited) forecast of PCTs in Essex.
	Strategic health authorities (SHAs) are responsible for delivering overall financial balance for their local health economy. If the SHA as a whole overspends, it requires underspending elsewhere to allow the Department to live within its overall spending limit.
	
		Table 1 -- 000
		
			  Allocation 
			 PCT 200304 200405 200506 
		
		
			 Basildon 92,468 102,530 114,813 
			 Billericay, Brentwood and Wickford 110,867 120,876 131,581 
			 Castle Point and Rochford 130,401 143,260 157,017 
			 Chelmsford 95,614 104,247 113,482 
			 Colchester 125,696 138,152 151,451 
			 Epping Forest 92,149 100,471 109,463 
			 Harlow 76,440 83,343 90,727 
			 Maldon and South Chelmsford 58,828 64,507 70,647 
			 Southend on Sea 153,413 167,594 182,986 
			 Tendring 128,228 143,975 161,452 
			 Thurrock 117,395 129,330 144,805 
			 Uttlesford 52,071 56,772 61,798 
			 Witham, Braintree and Halstead Care  Trust 100,623 110,770 122,397 
		
	
	
		Table 2
		
			 Organisation name 200506 Month 6 Forecast Outturn (000) 
		
		
			 Basildon PCT 706 
			 Billericay, Brentwood and Wickford PCT 2,633 
			 Castle Point and Rochford PCT 1,600 
			 Chelmsford PCT (11,202) 
			 Colchester PCT 637 
			 Epping Forest PCT 600 
			 Harlow PCT (769) 
			 Maldon and South Chelmsford PCT (3,196) 
			 Southend on Sea PCT 2,562 
			 Tendring PCT 1,400 
			 Thurrock PCT 860 
			 Uttlesford PCT (1,164) 
			 Witham, Braintree and Halstead Care PCT (5,418)

Public Health (Control of Disease) Act

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding was allocated to local authorities to meet their responsibilities under section 46 of the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 in relation to funeral provision in each of the past five years; and how much was spent by each local authority in England on section 46 funeral provision in each year.

Phil Woolas: I have been asked to reply.
	The information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Public Interest Reports

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the NHS bodies that have been issued with public interest reports in each year since 2001; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 21 November 2005
	Public interest reports are made, by the auditors of national health service bodies, under section 8 of the Audit Commission Act 1998. Since 2001, they have been made in respect of the following NHS bodies. They are listed by year of publication.
	During 200405, the Audit Commission developed, consulted on and revised guidance to auditorswhich is published on their websiteabout how they should report their concerns about financial standing, initially to the boards of NHS bodies, but ultimately escalating to use of their special powers to report publicly and refer bodies to the Secretary of State. This revised guidance has prompted auditors to issue significantly more public interest reports.
	2001
	No reports issued
	2002
	Bedfordshire Shared Services
	2003
	Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority
	West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service NHS Trust
	2004
	Hammersmith and Fulham Primary Care Trust
	Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust
	2005 (to date)
	Bedfordshire Heartlands Primary Care Trust
	Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic Health Authority
	Hillingdon Primary Care Trust
	Hounslow Primary Care Trust
	Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust
	New Forest Primary Care Trust
	North Somerset Primary Care Trust
	Royal West Sussex NHS Trust
	Scarborough and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust
	Selby and York Primary Care Trust
	Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust
	South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust
	Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust
	Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
	Thames Valley Strategic Health Authority
	The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust
	Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust
	West Wiltshire Primary Care Trust
	Weston Area Health NHS Trust

Rehabilitation Services (Visually Impaired People)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1) what advice she provides to (a) primary care trusts and (b) acute trusts on the provision of rehabilitation services for the visually impaired, with particular reference to the recently diagnosed; and how many rehabilitation staff for visually impaired people are employed by each (i) primary care trust and (ii) acute trust;
	(2)  if she will provide funding for training centres run by Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Liam Byrne: It is for local authorities to determine how best to provide services to meet the needs of individuals in their populations, in the light of local priorities. This includes the assessment and provision of appropriate support and rehabilitation services for blind and partially sighted people and decisions on the number of staff necessary.
	The Association of Directors of Social Services published national standards of social care for visually impaired adults in October 2002. The Department funded the improving lives coalition, from 2003 to 2005, to help them to raise awareness and to publicise the standards. The final report is available at: www.adss.org.uk/eyes.shtml.
	The Department no longer directly commissions services or training facilities.

Residential Care

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 7 November 2005, Official Report, column 273W, on residential care, on what legal basis local authorities can set cash limits on the amount they will pay for residential placements to meet assessed needs.

Liam Byrne: The Department allocates funding to local authorities (LAs) to enable them to carry out their social service functions. It is for LAs to decide how they spend this money, taking account of the need to balance their overall budgets and meet their statutory obligations.
	Under section 7 of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970, the Secretary of State may issue guidance to local authorities on how they carry out their social services functions and LAs are required to act in accordance with such guidance, unless they have good reason for departing from it but without freedom to take a substantially different course. The latest guidance is contained in local authority circular LAC(2004)20, which is available in the Library.
	Under that guidance, LAs should set the amount they would usually expect to pay for accommodation having regard to assessed care needs-the 'usual cost'. This cost should be set by LAs at the start of a financial or other planning period, or in response to significant changes in the cost of providing care, to be sufficient to meet the assessed care needs of supported residents in residential accommodation. LAs should set more than one usual cost where the cost of providing residential accommodation to specific groups is different. When placing people in residential care, councils are not required to pay more than they would usually pay, having regard to the usual cost.

Scanning Services (Alliance Medical Ltd.)

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether concerns about Alliance Medical and the provision of scanning services were raised at the meeting between her Department and County Durham and Tees Valley strategic in early June.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 18 October 2005
	The operational performance and take-up rates of the Alliance Medical contract were discussed with strategic health authority representatives as part of the contract management arrangements.

Screening Services

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to receive advice from the National Committee on Screening on the screening of older men for abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Liam Byrne: The UK National Screening Committee considered screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms at its meeting on 29 November 2005 and will provide advice in the new year.

Smoking/Alcohol

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons the Health Bill proposes to ban smoking in public houses which serve food where the owners do not employ any staff.

Caroline Flint: The smoke-free provisions of the Health Bill will protect the health of the public from the harm done by second-hand smoke. Under these provisions 99 per cent. of people's enclosed workplaces will become smoke-free.
	The extensive public consultation that we conducted before publishing the Choosing Health White Paper demonstrated enormous support for a ban on smoking in restaurants and pubs where meals are served. People clearly want to be able to enjoy their meal without smoke over their food and in their face.

Smoking/Alcohol

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what diseases and conditions are associated with (a) smoking and (b) passive smoking; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  if she will list the studies undertaken by her Department which demonstrate the diseases and conditions caused by (a) smoking and (b) passive smoking; and if she will place such studies in the Library.

Caroline Flint: The White Paper Smoking Kills sets out in Chapter 1 some of the major fatal diseases and conditions caused by smoking and passive smoking. For each disease and cause of death quoted there is a reference to relevant studies and/or source documents.
	The 1998 Report of the Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health (SCOTH) provided fuller information on fatal and other disease caused by smoking and second hand smoke.
	The 2004 Report by SCOTH states that new evidence reinforces and strengthens the conclusion in the 1998 report that second hand smoke is a substantial public health hazard. Copies of these documents are available in the Library.

Smoking/Alcohol

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to discourage the consumption of alcohol by pregnant women; and what progress has been made.

Caroline Flint: The Department's advice can be found in the leaflet Drinking for Two? and in the Pregnancy Book, copies of which have been placed in the Library, and also on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAndSocial CareTopics/AlcoholMisuse/AlcoholMisuseGeneral Information/AlcoholMisuseGeneralArticle/fs/en? CONTENT_ID=4062199chk=J782BY The advice says women who may be pregnant should not drink more than one to two units of alcohol once or twice a week and should avoid being intoxicated. This guidance is based on advice form medical experts to the sensible drinking working group who reviewed a range of studies and found little evidence of harm when such low levels of alcohol are consumed.
	Information is also available from the charity Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Aware UK.
	However, we know that some people have raised concerns that consuming any alcohol during pregnancy is unsafe. It is vital that public health messages are based on sound evidence and retain the credibility and confidence of health professionals.
	That is why we have commissioned a research scoping exercise on the effects of alcohol on the developing foetus. This will look at existing and new evidence of the effects of very low levels of alcohol consumption during pregnancy on the developing embryo, foetus and child. The report is due in the new year.

Southport and Ormskirk NHS Trust

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Healthfor what reasons Southport and Ormskirk NHS Trust is required to pay interest on the money it has borrowed.

Liam Byrne: There is a well established carry-forward regime in the national health service, whereby over spends in one year are repaid in the following year. The strategic health authority (SHA) surplus incentive scheme includes an uplift to the amount that organisations must repay if they overspend in 200506.
	The aim of the scheme is to support good financial management. The scheme is being managed by the NHS Bank. Arrangements with trusts or primary care trusts are for individual SHAs to manage.

Tuberculosis

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many reported cases of tuberculosis there were in (a) Northamptonshire and (b) England in each of the last 10 years.

Caroline Flint: Tuberculosis notification numbers for Northamptonshire and from England from 1994 to 2004 are shown in the table.
	
		Tuberculosis infections, Northamptonshire and England:1994 to 2004 -- Number
		
			  Northamptonshire England 
		
		
			 1994 47 5,410 
			 1995 57 5,428 
			 1996 43 5,493 
			 1997 58 5,664 
			 1998 66 5,915 
			 1999 77 5,939 
			 2000 66 6,379 
			 2001 70 6,571 
			 2002 84 6,628 
			 2003 70 6,383 
			 2004 80 6,544 
		
	
	Note:
	Data as at 2 December 2005.
	Source:
	Statutory Notifications of Infectious Diseases (NOIDs), Health Protection Agency Centre for Infections.
	The tuberculosis notification rates (per 100,000 population) for Northamptonshire remained similar to the overall rate for England during this 10-year period.

Turnaround Teams

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Healthwhat the (a) terms of reference, (b) powers and (c) expected costs are of the turnaround teams she is sending into Southport and Ormskirk Hospital.

Liam Byrne: Following the initial assessment the teams will agree a tailored package of turnaround support with each organisation and the strategic health authority. The teams will then support the chief executives of the organisations in delivering turnaround. The type and length of engagement will be tailored to the needs of specific organisations. The chief executives will remain responsible for delivery in their organisations.
	The initial assessment was awarded in accordance with departmental tendering arrangements. The amount of the contract is to be treated as commercial in confidence.
	The cost of the turnaround support will be dependant on the type of engagement.

Velcade

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if she will list the criteria according to which a district prescribing committee in England can overrule the recommendation of a consultant haematologist that Velcade should be prescribed to a patient suffering from multiple myeloma;
	(2)  what advice she has received about the use of Velcade as a treatment for multiple myeloma in comparison with other possible treatments for that condition;
	(3)  what discretion is available to consultant haematologists in England (a) to arrange bone marrow transplants and (b) to prescribe Velcade to treat multiple myeloma without reference to a (i) district prescribing committee and (ii) any other body;
	(4)  what account her Department took of the procedures in place in other parts of the UK for prescribing Velcade to treat multiple myeloma before deciding that district prescribing committees in England could overrule the recommendations of consultant haematologists that it should be prescribed in individual cases;
	(5)  what assessment she has made of the comparative (a) cost and (b) effectiveness in treating multiple myeloma of (i) a course of Velcade authorised by a district prescribing committee and (ii) a bone marrow transplant authorised by a consultant haematologist.

Jane Kennedy: holding answers 8 December 2005
	Velcade is licensed for the treatment of adults with cancer of the bone marrow (multiple myeloma) who have received at least one prior treatment and whose disease is worsening on their last treatment.
	Velcade has been referred to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) for appraisal. Velcade is one of the first five drugs to be appraised under NICE'S new single topic appraisal process announced by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health (Ms Hewitt) on 3 November 2005. Guidance resulting from the new process is expected as early as mid 2006.
	In the interim, there are no national restrictions on or guidelines for prescribing Velcade on the national health service for patients who fit the licensed indication.
	How best to treat patients with multiple myeloma will be a matter for local decision. The mechanisms used for making such decisions are also be local arrangement.
	Funding for licensed treatments should not be withheld because guidance from NICE is unavailable. In these circumstances, we expect primary care trusts to take full account of available evidence when reaching funding decisions. This is confirmed in Health Service Circular 1999/176, which asks NHS bodies to continue with local arrangements for the managed introduction of new technologies where guidance from NICE is not available at the time the treatment or technology first became available.
	No assessment has yet been made of the comparative cost and effectiveness of Velcade and bone marrow transplants in treating multiple myeloma. NICE may look at this as part of the appraisal process.

Vitamin D

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what plans she has to review (a) the available information on vitamin D daily intake level for different age groups and (b) recommended levels of vitamin D;
	(2)  what plans she has to improve vitamin D levels in the UK population.

Caroline Flint: The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) is considering a draft report on the nutritional health of the population, based on evidence from the national diet and nutrition surveys. This report is due to be published by mid-2006 and will include evidence on vitamin D.
	In the United Kingdom, reference nutrient intakes (RNI-the amount of the nutrient which is enough to meet the dietary needs of around 97 per cent. of the population) have only been set for certain age groups considered to be at risk of vitamin D deficiency, which is not common in the UK. Hence there is no RNI for people aged between four and 64-years-old, other than for pregnant and lactating women; it is considered that most people will get the vitamin D they need from exposure to sunlight, which aids synthesis of vitamin D in the skin.

Waiting Times

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress the Government have made towards its aim to eliminate waiting times of over six months for in-patient treatment by the end of 2005; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The national health service has made substantial progress in reducing waiting lists and eliminating waits of over six months for in-patient treatment. As shown in the table, in October 2005 the number of patients waiting more than six months was 24,812, down 8,690 (25.9 per cent.) on the previous month and down 45,079 (64.5 per cent.) from October 2004. Waiting lists are now at an all-time low and below 800,000 for the first time.
	
		
			   Patients waiting over: 
			 Data ending Total waiting(134) 18 months(135) 15 months(135) 12 months(135) 9 months(135) 6 months(135) 3 months(135) 
		
		
			 March 1997 1,158,004 143 5,733 30,245 118,915 283,866 570,237 
			 May 1998 1,308,634 (136) (136) (136) (136) (136) (136) 
			 December 2003 973,126 6 8 25 34,295 149,307 400,545 
			 March 2004 905,753 0 3 67 223 80,125 323,510 
			 October 2004 857,221 (136) (136) 59 57 69,891 293,710 
			 November 2004 843,923 (136) (136) 173 347 62,016 268,082 
			 December 2004 858,020 (136) (136) 50 125 66,309 285,271 
			 January 2005 861,884 (136) (136) 37 93 69,210 292,616 
			 February 2005 845,167 (136) (136) 29 76 60,451 287,244 
			 March 2005 821,686 (136) (136) 24 41 40,806 259,213 
			 April 2005 827,349 (136) (136) 5 28 45,395 257,979 
			 May 2005 826,265 (136) (136) 0 17 49,604 257,761 
			 June 2005 823,949 (136) (136) 3 16 43,132 243,092 
			 July 2005 813,670 (136) (136) 2 15 40,669 241,327 
			 August 2005 805,096 (136) (136) 4 24 38,270 236,543 
			 September 2005 804,638 (136) (136) 9 69 33,502 231,878 
			 October 2005 792,251 (136) (136) 8 92 24,812 207,873 
		
	
	(134)Provider based.
	(135)Commissioner based
	(136)Commissioners data not collected in this period.
	Note:
	From April 2004, 15 and 18 month waits are not collected.
	Source:
	Department of Health monthly returns by primary care trusts

Ward Closures

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which hospitals are planning ward or capacity closures.

Liam Byrne: The Department does not routinely collect and hold centrally operational management information on proposals to change wards or capacity.

Warrington Primary Care Trust

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Healthwhat briefings have been given to members of Warrington primary care trust on possible changes to acute services in the area; and what options have been considered during those briefings.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 15 December 2005
	The responsibility for briefing members of the Warrington primary care trust on any possible changes to acute services in the area resides with the local national health service.

Wind Turbines

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research she has evaluated on the impacts on health of wind turbines.

Caroline Flint: The Department has not undertaken work on wind turbines. Defra has undertaken studies and officials in this Department are in contact with the leading United Kingdom authority on low frequency noise (LFN), a frequent subject of complaint. There is currently very little or no evidence to suggest that exposure to noise generated by wind turbines is damaging to health though it may cause annoyance.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust

Richard Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the oral statement of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health of 15 November 2005, Official Report, column 226WH, on Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust, when she will write to the hon. Member for Wyre Forest (Dr. Taylor) on trusts that are in the upper quartile in relation to length of stay.

Caroline Flint: The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health wrote to the hon. Member on 13 December 2005.

Your Health, Your Care, Your Say

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance she issued to strategic health authorities for the conduct of the Your Health, Your Care, Your Say consultation exercise; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The Department wrote to chief executives of strategic health authorities (SHAs) on 23 August 2005 inviting a nominated contact who could co-ordinate activity across their area in partnership with local authority colleagues. The Department and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister jointly wrote to a range of stakeholder organisations, including the chief executives of SHAs on 8 September 2005 giving details of a website which provided guidance on running local events and about the importance of working with local partners. Nominated contacts in SHAs were also copied into a letter to stakeholders dated 27 September 2005 encouraging the organisation of local events for staff and service users.
	A resource pack website was set up to support those organisations running or facilitating local deliberative consultation events. SHA nominated contacts were invited to a briefing event on the website's use and the consultation process in general on 8 September 2005.
	Copies of all three letters have been placed in the Library.